u
FIEST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT,
HISTORY
First Regiment
(MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY),
FROM THE 25TH OF MAY. 1861, TO THE 25TH OF MAY, 1864;
INCLUDING BRIEF REFERENCES TO
The Operations of the Army of the Potomac.
BY
WARREN H. CUDWORTH,
CHAPLAIN OF THE REGIMENT.
A thousand glorious actions, that might claim
Triumphant laurels and immortal lame,
Confiised in crowds of glorious accions lie ;
And troops of heroes undistinguished die.
BOSTON:
WALKER, FULLER, AND COMPANY.
1866.
E5I^
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by
WALKER, FULLER, AND COMPANY,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
^; 3;
Pkess of Geo. C. Rand & Avery,
3 CoRNHiLL, Boston.
TO
His Excellency
John Albion Andrew,
(Sobtrnor of tlje Commcmfofaltlr of piassac^usetts,
CONSPICUOUS PATRIOTISM, UNDEVIATING LOYALTY, STEADFAST
ADHERENCE TO THE RIGHTS OF MAN,
AND
INDEFATIGABLE EXERTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT DURING THE ENTIRE WAR
OF THE REBELLION,
HAVE ENDEARED HIS NAME
TO EVERY SOLDIER, SAILOR, AND PATRIOT IN THE LAND,
Teens V.@Ly)8ii
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY
THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE.
The author of the following history volunteered his services as
chaplain in the First Regiment from no love of warfare, hut
simply because, with all his heart, he believed in ' ' Liberty and
the Union," and wished to cast in his lot with those brave and
patriotic men who were willing to fight for "Liberty and the
Union." He went out with them from Camp Cameron to
Washington in June, 1861 ; came back for a few days in July,
1861, subsequent to the first battle of Bull Run; returned in
one week ; and remained with them during the whole subse-
quent period of their three-years' service, until they were mus-
tered out on Boston Common, May 28, 1864.
He was personally present at nearly all the scenes described
in the following pages, and gives therefore the impressions of an
eye-witness.
It must be understood, however, that no single eye-witness
can accurately observe nor completely embrace all the events
transpmng in a great army, whether in battle or on the march ;
so that, should any who were with other parts of the army, or in
other portions of the field, miss the record of occurrences with
which they are familial', they can account for the omission in
this way. Being a chaplain, with an assigned place in rear
of the column or line of battle, thither he always went, and
there he always staid.
8 PREFACE.
His information concerning the battles in which the First
Regiment fought so gallantly was derived partly from know-
ing how the forces were disposed to meet the enemy, but
mainly from reports brought in by the wounded and others
as they came to the rear. The book has been written mostly
from a sense of duty, and to supply members and friends
of the First Regiment with a compact memorial of its glorious
achievements.
By them he is confident it will be received with lenient
and generous consideration; and should others feel disposed
to criticise, he begs to assure them that no attempt has been
made to present a specimen of literary elegance, but only to
transcribe an unadorned statement of actual facts.
The company rolls at the end of the volume, in regard to
dates, the spelling of names, time and cause of discharge,
&c., have been copied as they appear on the books of Ad-
jutant-General Schouler, at the State-House, Boston. No
doubt, there are some typographical errors and some mis-
takes in figures and places; but they have been made as
accurate as the materials at hand would allow, and will
prove acceptable, it is to be hoped, to those who are most
interested in them.
The writer is under obligations to several members of the
reo-iment who have kindly allowed him the perusal of their
diaries : he has also consulted official reports and other
public documents, and faithfully followed the records of his
own private memoranda.
East Boston, Dec. 20, 1865.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Organization. Camps Ellsworth, Cameron, and Banks . . 13
CHAPTER II.
Blackburn's Ford, and the First Bull Run .... 40
CHAPTER III
Fort Albany, Bladensburg, and Lower Maryland . . 68
CHAPTER IV.
Camp Hooker. Budd's Ferry 96
CHAPTER V.
Siege of Yorktown, Virginia 136
CHAPTER VL
Bat^tle of Williamsburg . . . . . . . .161
CHAPTER riL
Poplar Hill, White-Oak Swamp, and Fair Oaks . . .182
10 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI 11.
Savage's Station, Glendale, and Malvern Hill, First and
Second 214
CHAPTER IX.
Harrison's Landing and Warrenton Junction . . .238
CHAPTER X.
Bristow Station, Second Bull Run, and Chantilly . . 261
CHAPTER XL
Camps at Alexandria Semenary, Fairfax Court House, and
Fairfax Station .285
CHAPTER XII.
Battle of Fredericksburg 309
CHAPTER XIII.
Camp near Falmouth » 331
CHAPTER XIV.
Battle of Chance llorsville ....... 352
CHAPTER XV.
Battle of Gettysburg .377
CHAPTER XVI.
Battle of Wapping Heights . . . . . .* 405
CHAPTER XV n.
Biker's Island. New- York Harbor .420
CONTENTS. 11
CHAPTER XVIII.
Kelly's Ford, Locust Grove, and Brandy Station . . .434
CHAPTER XIX.
Battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House 453
CHAPTER XX.
Reception at Home. The Final Struggle . . . .477
THE
FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT,
CHAPTER I.
To arms, to arms ! whoever loves
The land that gave him birth.
A score of millions hear the cry,
And herald it abroad :
To arms they fly, to do or die
For liberty and God.
Old Massachusetts caught the word;
And, as a mighty man.
She buckled on the trusty sword,
And boldly led the van."
E. P. Dyer.
ORGANIZATION.
CAMPS ELLSWORTH, CAMERON, AND
BANKS.
THE First Regiment Massachusetts Infantry was
organized immediately after the assault upon Fort
Sumter, Charleston Harbor, on the morning of April
12, 1861.
This, more than any other act committed in the in-
terest of secession, aroused Union men to an apprecia-
tion of the crisis that was upon them. The rebels
made it apparent that they were thoroughly in earnest,
2 la
14 THE FIE ST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
and resolved upon separation. The destruction of the
National GoYernment, which they had been unable to
accomplish by nullification, by ruinous compromises,
and Congressional brow-beating,- — all of which Union
men had taken patiently, — they were now determined
to effect by force of arms. This was not to be taken
patiently. Words, threats, denunciations, even un-
just measures and bad laws, might have been quietly
received, and endured, perhaps, for years : but cannon-
balls required immediate and decided answer; and
they got it. All over the North, and, to some extent,
even from the South, patriotism poured forth its armed
defenders of the national life. They gathered in cities,
towns, and villages, animated instinctively by a similar
spirit, overflowing everywhere with one and the same
enthusiasm. Halls, commons, highways, even churches,
were thronged with eager and excited crowds, all ready
for action. Flag-staffs went up in every direction; the
stars and stripes fluttered on every breeze ; red, white,
and blue rosettes, ribbons, and decorations were worn
by all classes ; while military bands, or the simple fife
and drum, followed by squads, companies, or battalions
of armed men, marching, drilling, and preparing for
the conflict, told plainly enough that the Federal Union
was not to be given up without a prolonged and deter-
mined struggle.
The First Massachusetts Infantry was the first regiment
to leave the State for three years' service in the national
cause; and, indeed, is said to have been the first three-
years' regiment in the service of the United States.
It was composed mainly of the old First Regiment of
Massachusetts militia, which received its name about
the year 1858, when the original First was disbanded.
THE SIXTH AlA??ArHrSF,TT<5 REGTArF.XT T\ PAT.TTMORE, APRIL IP. IRf^l.
OBGANIZATIOX. 15
and the Second allowed to assume its name. Directly
after the assault upon Fort Sumter, its services were
offered to his excellency Gov. Andrew by Col. Rob-
ert Cowdin, then in command, to proceed at once to
the defence of the capital. But, as it was deemed ad-
visable to retain some of our soldiers in Boston for a
time, other regiments from the country were sent, in-
cluding the Sixth, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Eighth,
whose term of service was to be for three months only.
Upon the 8th of May, orders were issued from the War
Department, calling for volunteers for three years.
To this the First Regiment immediately and unani-
mously responded, and, after various unavoidable de-
lays, were mustered and sworn into the service of the
United States as follows : viz., Companies A, B, G,
and H, May 23 ; Companies D, F, K, and I, May
24 ; Company E, May 25 ; and Company C, May 27.
The field and staff officers were mustered May 27.
The foljowing were the home names and residences
of the various companies : —
Company A, made up of two other companies.
Brookline.
Company B, Union Guards. East Boston.
Company C, North End, True Blues. Boston.
Company D, Roxbury City Guards. Roxbury.
Company E, Pulaski Guards. South Boston.
Company F, National Guards. Boston.
Company G, Independent Boston Fusileers. Bos-
ton.
Company H, Chelsea Volunteers. Chelsea.
Company I, Schouler Guards. Boston.
Company K, Chadwick Light Infantry. Roxbury.
Companies B, D, E, F, and G were original com-
16 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS HEGIMEyT.
panies in the First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer
Mihtia. The others were added to make up the com-
plement of ten companies.
From the 25th of May to the 1st of June, the head-
quarters of the regiment were at Faneuil Hall, Boston.
The time of the men was occupied in drilling, reading,
writing, getting ready, and amusing themselves in such
ways as were not forbidden by the laws of war.
As the centre of a populous city was a very unde-
sirable i^lace for so large a body of men, however; and
as there was no opportunity in or near Faneuil Hall for
battalion and regimental drills, which it was necessary
to have as speedily as possible, — on the first day of
June, the regiment marclied out to Cambridge, and took
possession of an old ice-house, on the borders of Fresh
Pond, which had been procured by the State authori-
ties, and partially fitted up for barracks; and established
their first camp. It was named Camp Ellsworth, in
honor of the gallant colonel of the New-Yor]^ Firemen
Zouaves, whose murder by the secessionist Jackson, at
the Marshall House, Alexandria, Ya., on the morning
of May 24, was still fresh in the public mind.
Here military discipline was at once enforced, a reg-
ular system of guard duty established, and, when the
weather would permit, daily drilling and dress-parades
introduced. The members of the regiment, though
poorly accommodated, reconciled themselves to their
new quarters as speedily as possible ; and, among the
majority, there was manifested a commendable disposi-
tion to make the best of every thing at once. There
were some items connected with the commissary de-
partment, and other arrangements for personal conve-
nience about the barracks, which called forth strong
CAMP CAMERON. 17
expressions of disapprobation, and threatened, at one
time, serious consequences ; but as these were speedily
attended to, and remedied so far as possible, those who
had felt aggrieved were conciliated.
It was demonstrated by the rapidly increasing sick-
list, and the universal prevalence of colds and other
complaints, however, that the old ice-house was not a
suitable structure for the temporary home of a thou-
sand men ; and, upon representations being made to this
effect to the proper authorities, they at once set about
the erection of better buildings on a well-selected lot
of ground in North Cambridge, about five miles from
Boston.
On tlie 13th of June, a sufficient number of barracks
having been completed to accommodate the regiment,
the companies marched over and took possession, find-
ing them in every respect as comfortable as could
reasonably be expected. Here the land was high, the
water good, the air dry and bracing ; and a broad pa-
rade-ground between the road and the officers' quarters
offered ample space for military evolutions. Although
there was considerable incredulity as to the regiment's
ever being called into active service against the enemy,
the men entered into their daily marches, parades, and
drills with the utmost zest, and seemed determined to
become familiar with the principles of good soldiership,
whether they were ever required to carry them into
practice or not. The new encampment had been named
Camp Cameron, in honor of the first Secretary of War,
who was then a great favorite throughout the loyal
portions of the country ; and nearly all day it was
thronged with visitors personally acquainted or con-
nected with members of the regiment, or attracted by
2*
18 THE FIBST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
the novelty of a real military camp, and a thousand
men whose swords^ g^ns, and accoutrements had not
been assumed for a few days' show only, but for three
years of cruel and deadly warfare.
The companies were not long permitted to enjoy the
comforts of their new barracks at Camp Cameron ; for,
on the 14th of June, orders were received from Wash-
ington to have every thing in readiness to leave the
next day. This was just what the majority ardently
desired, and many had not believed in ; and prepara-
tions to comply with the order were made with the
utmost readiness and alacrity. It would astonish the
veterans of 1864-65 to see how much these inexperi-
euced volunteers packed into their knapsacks, haver-
sacks, and pockets ; and how many enormous trunks,
furnished with all the appliances required by an unlim-
ited sojourn in foreign countries, were piled into the
baggage-car for the benefit of the officers.
At half-past four on the loth, Camp Cameron was
left behind, and the line of march taken up for Boston
Common. The roads were dusty ; the thermometer
between 70° and 80°; and the men compelled, on
account of the crowded condition of their knapsacks
and the raggedness of portions of their clothing, to
wear thick winter overcoats. It was a hot march ;
and words hot and strong, not a few, have been said and
written about it: but it came to an end, and about
seven o'clock the regiment was formed on Boston Com-
mon. Here an attempt was made to keep a portion of
the parade-ground clear while the regiment made a
detour around it, and went througli a final dress-
parade before leaving the State ; but it was found to
be utterly impossible. Thousands of fathers, mothers,
OFF FOR WASHINGTON. 19
wives, children, brothers, sisters, sweethearts, and
friends, had been waiting two hours to catch the
last glimpse of some loved soldier's form, and speak
the last word which could be heard from them for
months or years, perhaps forever ; and they would not
be restrained. Indeed, it is strongly to be suspected
that the police were not very efficient in their attempts
to restrahi them. Be that as it may, the line swayed
to and fro a few moments, and then, over the rope, in
every direction, the earnest and excited mass of human-
ity plunged ; and, much more speedily than it takes to
write it, officers, soldiers, and civilians were mixed up
in one immense throng of people, weeping, laughing,
embracing, clinging to one another, and presenting
here and there scenes so affecting, that the recollection
of them is as fresh and vivid to-day as on the evening
when they transpired. But all too soon this was
brought to a conclusion; and the troops were re-formed,
and marched to the train of cars in waiting at the
depot of the Boston and Providence Railroad. Here
a platform was improvised from a pile of railway
sleepers ; and, silence having been secured in the vicin-
ity. Alderman Pray, in l^ehalf of a committee of the
city of Boston, stepped forward, and presented to tlie
regiment a handsome national banner. Appropriate
speeches were made by Mr. Pray, by his honor Mayor
Wightman, and by Col. Cowdin in response ; and, after
repeated rounds of cheers, the soldiers entered the cars,
and, at nine o'clock in the evening, the train started.
There were seventeen passenger and four baggage
cars, drawn by two powerful locomotives, some of the
cars being decorated with flags and streamers ; and, at
every station along the road, crowds of people assem-
20 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
bled, who cheered the soldiers, — women waving their
handkerchiefs, and little children shouting and jump-
ing about in a perfect frenzy of excitement.
At Providence, R. I., a detachment of the Marine
Artillery welcomed the troops with a national salute ;
while at least two thousand persons crowded around
the cars, cheering, wishing the soldiers God speed,
denouncing secessionists, predicting the speedy down-
fall of the Rebellion, treating the troops to fruit, cakes,
et ccBtera, and really making them feel that they were
going on a pleasure excursion, which would soon be
over, rather than to engage in the most fearful and
bloody of human transactions, which might be pro-
longed for years.
It was not until three o'clock, Sunday morning, the
16th, that the train arrived at Groton, Conn., where
the cars were to be exchanged for the elegant and com-
modious steamer " Commonwealth." Here Fort Trum-
bidl, on the opposite side of the river, belched forth a
thundering welcome from its heavy iron guns ; while
men, horses, wagons, and baggage were transferred as
expeditiously as possible from the cars to the vessel.
While at Groton, in the midst of considerable con-
fusion arising from the necessity of switching the train
from one track to another, Daniel B. Miller, a young
man of Company D, was jolted from his seat on one of
the wagons, and, before it was discovered that he had
fallen, twenty-four sets of wheels had passed over both
his legs just above the knees. He was immediately
removed to a house close by the depot, a physician
summoned, and every thing done to alleviate his suffer-
ings and prolong his life. But it was all without avail.
ARRIVAL AT JERSEY CITY. 21
He lingered along, in an insensible condition, for about
three hours, and then breathed his last.
Previous to this, a valuable horse had gotten loose
from his fastenings, and leaped out of the car-door,
breaking his neck ; but, with these exceptions, no other
accidents occurred to mar tlie festive character of the
trip from Boston to New York.
An amusing incident, indeed, took place while the
men were filing across the steamer's forward gangway
into the spacious cabin and grand saloon below, which
caused a momentary sensation of profound concern ;
for private T A , of Company A, loaded with
knapsack, haversack, overcoat, gun, and accoutrements,
went suddenly overboard, and all felt sure he would
sink' like a stone. He manifested a decidedly contrary
inclination, however, and, being a good swimmer, kept
himself afloat until ropes were thrown within his reach,
and he was extricated from jeopardy ; when the fears
of his comrades were exchanged for laughter and jokes
at his forlorn and dripping condition, all of which he
took with the utmost good nature, inasmuch as it is
vastly better to be the living butt of a little friendly
ridicule than the dead recipient of the largest amount
of funereal eulogium.
The steamer " Commonwealth " reached the wharf
in Jersey City at quarter before two, p. m. She was
gayly decorated with flags from stem to stern, and cov-
ered in every available standing-spot with soldiers.
Thousands of people had assembled upon the wharf to
receive them ; and, as the boat swung alongside, they
broke into repeated and enthusiastic cheers, which
were heartily responded to from on board.
After the troops disembarked, they were marched
22 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
into the New- Jersey Railroad Depot, where tables had
been spread with an abundant supply of creature com-
forts, and called upon to help themselves. This had
been provided by an association of gentlemen resident
in New York, called " Sons of Massachusetts/' who
also took the officers in charge, and furnished them
with a bountiful entertainment at a hotel near by. A
speech of welcome w^as made by Richard Warren, Esq.,
president of the association, just as the steamer ar-
rived ; to which Col. Cowdin fitly responded in behalf
of his command. It had been hoped that sufficient
time would be allowed to enable the regiment to
land in New- York City, and march through a portion
of Broad^vay ; but various considerations combined to
render it inexpedient ; and after tarrying a few hours
at the depot, until horses, wagons, and baggage had
been all transferred from the boat to the cars, the train
started for Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington.
A multitude of people, comprising thousands of all
classes, surrounded the depot, while others crowded
the sidew^alks, covered the door-steps, and filled all the
windows for miles along the route ; and they seemed
never to tire of waving hats, handkerchiefs, and flags,
cheering the troops at the top of their lungs, and evin-
cing everywhere tlie most rapturous joy at their appear-
ance. At every stage of our progress, it became more
and more evident that this was the people's war, and
that the people were heart and soul committed to its
prosecution and conclusion in favor of " Union and
Liberty."
This could not have other than a cheering effect
upon the soldiers, and served greatly to alleviate the
depression which home-sickness would irresistibly pro-
• ARBIVAL AT PHILADELPHIA. 23
ducc in some natures. Between Jersey City and Phil-
adelphia, as the train was proceeding about twelve
miles an hour, one of the men, in attempting to look
out from the platform, — for many were allowed to
ride on the platform, and even on top of the cars, —
lost his footing, and disappeared. It was supposed that
he must have been instantly killed, and the train was
stopped ; and the surgeon, with three assistants, went
back to get, if possible, liis remains. To the relief
of everybody, it was found that he had only been
somewhat stunned, but was otherwise uninjured. It
seems, that, instead of falling under, he fell away from,
the cars ; and, turning several somersets with extraordi-
nary rapidity down the steep bank, he finally landed
at the bottom in a soft bed of yellow mud.
The city of Philadelphia was reached about day-
light the next morning. Owing to the crowded and
deeply laden condition of the ferry-boats in going
across the Delaware River from Camden, both of them
got fast stuck in the mud. After some delay, and con-
siderable exertion, they reached the other side ; and the
men were marched into the Cooper-Shop and Union-
Refreshment Saloons, whose founders, supporters, and
attendants deserve the gratitude of the entire country
for the voluntary service they have rendered through-
out the war in feeding the hungry, providing for the
destitute, and ministering to the sick and wounded,
who have thronged their establishment during all
hours of the day and night, every day in the week,
every week and month in the year.* In Philadelphia,
* Twelve hundred thousand volunteers were entertained, free of cost, at
these saloons, during the war. At mid-night, or mid-day, cold or hot, cloudy
or clear, no matter when a regiment might amve, every man was sure of.
24 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
the majority of the people were unmistakably in sym-
pathy with the Union cause, but not so demonstrative
of loyalty as farther North. Perhaps they had less
faith in the final triumph of the Union arms ; more
fear that they might some time be called to account for
giving aid and comfort to Union soldiers.
We were now rapidly approaching the most impor-
tant portion of our route to Washington. Since the
19th of April, when the Sixth Regiment was assaulted,
no Massachusetts soldiers had marched through Balti-
more. Indeed, it had been declared that none ever
should march through again ; and to us had been com-
mitted the duty of ascertaining whether this was merely
an idle boast, or a threat that would result in blood-
shed.
About twenty miles this side of the city, ten thousand
ball-cartridges were distributed among the troops, every
gun was loaded and capped, revolvers and swords ex-
amined, and every man prepared for whatever emer-
gency might appear. Cheering ceased long before we
reached the suburbs of Baltimore, although here and
there might be seen a flag or a handkerchief waved by
some one more loyal or fearless than the rest. When
the cars arrived, and the men left them, they were
immediately surrounded by a motley assemblage of
citizens, laborers, jDolicemen, boys, and roughs, who
were kept at a proper distance until the companies
were formed. The order '' Forward ! " was then given
by Col. Cowdin, on foot, and at the head of the
regiment ; and the march began. It was an anxious
moment. Every eye was watchful, every footstep
a kind word and a good meal. The projectors, supporters, and attendants
of these model establishments certainly deserve a monument.
ARRIVAL AT WASHINGTON. 25
firm, every man on the alert. But during tlie march
of nearly, if not quite, two miles, with thousands crowd-
ing around, shop -doors and house - windows filled,
balconies, steps, and sidewalks covered with people,
not a hiss, not a groan, was heard, not a secession flag
or motto appeared, not a single act of open hostility was
committed ; and on every hand it was plainly apparent
that the enemies of the country were awed and cowed,
if not converted.
And so, without the loss of a man or the firing of a
gun, Massachusetts soldiers again went through Balti-
more. It was indeed a quiet and triumphant march,
and, when compared with that of the Sixth Regiment,
shows how much Union sentiment had increased
aniong the citizens, or, at any rate, how thoroughly
traitors had become intimidated, since April 19.
After leaving Baltimore, some of the soldiers who
occupied the tops of the cars amused themselves in
discharging their muskets by the roadside, to tlue
serious detriment of two or three Maryland pigs sup-
posed to belong to rebels. Upon reaching tlie Relay
House and Annapolis Junction, where the Massachusetts
Sixth and Eighth were quartered with Cook's Massachu-
setts Battery, there was quite an animated scene of recog-
nition and hand-shaking between the troops old and new :
but, without further incident worthy of mention, the
train drove rapidly on ; and the men arrived at Washing-
ton by seven o'clock in the evening, dusty and weary
with their long and tedious ride, but in readiness for any
service which might be required of them. Here they
found that they had not been expected until a couple of
hours later, and, accordingly, that no preparations had
been made to receive them. But they were formed iu_
26 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
column by company, marched up Pennsylvania Avenue
to Seventh Street ; and, after considerable delay, eight
companies were provided with accommodations in
Woodworth's building on the avenue, a large unoccu-
pied store or warehouse, and two quartered in a half-
furnished structure on Sixth Street, while the officers
were left to take care of themselves as best they could
under the circumstances. No rations had been pro-
vided by Government for the men ; and those who
chanced to be moneyless, or without a companion suf-
ficiently friendly to be willing to share his morsel with
a brother-soldier, turned in for the night without any
supper.
This was rather a cheerless reception, and it had a
dispiriting effect ; but, in the morning, matters began to
wear a different aspect. By dint of great exertion, a
couple of rusty caldrons were obtained from a neigh-
l)oring hardware store, in which coffee was speedily
made for the whole regiment. Several boxes of red
herring were procured, with a few soda-crackers, and
plenty of old, musty, Avormy, and buggy ship-bread ;
and, having partaken of these, the men scattered,
singly and in squads, in various directions, to inspect
the public buildings of the national capital, and see
for themselves what sort of a place the city of mag-
nificent distances miglit be.
Washington at that day was full of secessionists ;
some of them open and bitter in their denunciation of
the Government, others watching in secret for a
favorable opportunity when tliey might throw off all
disguises, and co-operate witli the enemies of the Union.
There was hardly a department of public affairs in
which there were not known disloyal officials, who, at
TREASON IN WASHINGTON. 27
the same time they were drawing their salaries, were
doing all in their power to overturn the authority they
had sworn to uphold. Among such men, and the tools
they could make subservient to their treasonable pur-
poses, no Union man was safe, especially at night ; and
the soldiers, in consequence, uniformly went armed.
As they were allowed the freedom of the city, during
the 18th, they visited the Navy Yard, Armory, Smith-
sonian Institution, Patent Office, White House, and
Post Office, which were then completed, and the
Capitol and Treasury Building, which had not been
finished ; and at night the feeling seemed to be very
general among them, that, were it not for its public
buildings, Washington would be far from an attractive
or agreeable place of residence.
It was then a most noticeable fact to all New-Eng-
landers, that in proportion to the distance travelled
southward was the ratio of increase in discomforts and
inconveniences to the traveller, in poor living and ex-
orbitant charges at hotels and private boarding-houses,
and in complete indifference to human comfort, and
disregard of human life and happiness. The general
impression prevailed, that the existing state of things
was not long to last, that the rebels would inevitably win
their independence, and that Washington would then
become a Southern city. Jeff. Davis and his cabinet
seemed to know just as well what was transpiring at
the White House, what were the plans of Union gen-
erals, and what were the numbers and dispositions of
the national forces, as they knew the condition of their
own affairs ; and, for many months after the war broke
out, neither our army nor navy made any important
28 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
movement for which they did not find the enemy just
as well prepared as ourselves.
All these things caused Washington to be the centre
of a great deal of interest, and with its throngs of visit-
ors, capitalists, contractors, politicians, office-seekers,
inventors, and adventurers, the abode of perpetual
excitement.
On Wednesday, the 19th of June, the line of march
was again resumed, and the regiment went into camp
beyond Oeorgetown, on the Potomac, about two miles
below Chain Bridge. On the way, they marched in
review before President Lincoln, who was then almost
an unknown and untried man, but the object of uni-
versal curiosity and speculation. He stood just before
the White-House entrance, wearing an affable and
dignified expression upon his countenance, while the
column, heavily equipped, and accompanied with all its
wagons, ambulances, horses &c., went past; and ex-
pressed great satisfaction with the appearance of the
troops to Gen. Morse, of Massachusetts, who was stand-
ing at his side. No sooner had the regiment got by than
there was a rush from the crowd towards the President.
Everybody had the American mania for shaking hands ;
and, had not the rearguard of troops interfered, he
would have been kept standing in the broiling sun
for hours.
As it was, he was escorted into his residence, and
received quite a delegation of New-England men, who
made an impromptu call upon him, with assurances
of sympathy and co-operation in the arduous task
he had been called upon to undertake. He received
all courteously, and in course of his remarks, alluding
to the surprising promptness with which the Old Bay
CAMP BANKS. 29
State responded to the first call, and the commendable
valor displayed by her troops when they received and
returned the first infantry fire in the war, said, "It is
evident that the Massachusetts people have got rile//;
and, from what we have just witnessed, they appear to
be coming down here to settle.''^ This bon-mot pro-
duced considerable merriment as it went round from
mouth to mouth, during which the President begged
to be excused, saying he was busy preparing for the
approaching session of Congress, and retired.
The march fi-om Washington through Georgetown
was extremely trying, as the mercury stood at 90°,
and the roads were rough and dusty. Several men
were sun-struck ; but immediate attention, and the
prompt application of proper remedies, prevented any
fatal results. In honor of Major -Gen. Nathaniel P.
Banks, the new camp -ground was named Camp
Banks.
It seemed to have been formerly a farm, as part of
it was overshadowed by fruit-trees ; while, of the rest,
a portion had been ploughed, and a portion given up
to pasturage. Its greatest lack was a scanty supply of
poor water, part of which flowed through the centre
of the camp from a half-finished reservoir belonging to
the Washington Aqueduct Company, and part gushed
out of a break in the aqueduct above the camp. As
a thousand men and over were obliged to wash them-
selves and their cooking utensils in this water daily,
its condition any time after daylight until dark can
easily be imagined. Several times, exploring parties
were sent throughout the neighborhood to ascertain
if a more eligible site for a camp could not be dis-
3*
30 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
covered ; but they met with such indifferent success in
their endeavors, that no change was ordered.
Being, as it were, upon hostile soil, the regiment
was at once put under strictly military discipline.
Each company received four bell tents for the men,
and one wall tent for the officers. A guard-house was
selected, and a guard established for day and night.
Cook-houses, ovens, stables, and other appurtenances,
sprang up as fast as materials could be obtained for
their construction ; and great ingenuity was manifested
in the invention of such comfort-producing appliances
as there was room in the tents to accommodate. Close
by, and partly included in the precincts of the camp,
were sundry shanties occupied by Irish laborers and
their families, the men being employed to work on the
reservoir and redoubts ; and with these the troops car-
ried on quite a brisk trade in pigs, poultry, milk, and
other creature-comforts not found on the ration-list of
the army rules and regulations. Hucksters of all
sorts, under certain sumptuary restrictions, were also
allowed to peddle their wares ; so that, when the com-
missary salt-junk, whether beef or pork, was unusually
tough or aged, and the hard-tack especially averse to
mastication, the hungry patriots might solace tliem-
selves with attenuated pies or plethoric molasses-cakes
meantime.
When the weather was pleasant, every man found
plenty to do. At five o'clock in the morning, the
reveille was beaten, to which members of companies
•responded by forming in their regular streets, and an-
swering to their names, as they were called by the
orderly-sergeant ; at six took place a company drill ;
at seven, breakfast was served ; at half-past eight, guard-
DAILY LIFE IN CAMP. 31
mounting, including the relief of the old guard, and
the posting of the new ; afterwards, battalion-drills,
target-practice, or inspection ; at twelve, dinner, tech-
nically called " roast beef," but humorously known
among the soldiers as ^' salt horse ; " after dinner,
rest until four o'clock, when the " call to the color"
was beaten, followed usually by the "assembly," and
another drill lasting nearly until dress-parade ; dress-
parade at six, with supper immediately after ; roll-call
at half-past nine ; tattoo at quarter before ten, when
all lights must be extinguished throughout the camp,
except in the colonel's quarters and guard-house. In
course of a campaign, circumstances, of course, caused
a great variation in this programme ; but the soldier's
daily life in camp was made up more or less of such
duties and experiences as are contained in the above
list.
On Sunday, there was a religious service for such as
chose to attend, though sometimes attendance was com-
pulsory ; and, every evening in the week, a meeting
for conference and prayer.
Large numbers of visitors resorted to Camp Banks,
and among them would occasionally appear a down-
right secessionist. One was arrested on suspicion of
being a spy ; but, as nothing definite could be proved
against him, he was afterwards released. Two or three
night-alarms occurred, which called out the men hastily,
in full force, expecting to be summoned to repel an
attack from the enemy. On one occasion, a gun was
discharged near the sentinel on guard at the reservoir ;
and he immediately fired at what he supposed was the
would-be assailant, calling out the entire guard, and
rousing every man in camp : but it turned out to be
32 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
only a drunken Irishman with an old flint-lock mus-
ket, who could give no coherent account of himself,
and was therefore confined in the guard-house until he
became sober, and then dismissed with a warning.
A garrison flag having been obtained from the Gov-
ernment, it was raised on a pole cut on the other side
of the Potomac, and brought across ; and- patriotic
speeches were made by several officers, while the band
played the " Star-spangled Banner " and other appro-
priate selections.
One afternoon, during the passage of one of our regi-
mental wagons through Georgetown to Washington, a
fire broke out in the former place ; which being observed
by two members of the regiment, riding in the wagon,
who were old Boston firemen, the ruling passion would
have sway ; and they dashed into the building, hose
pipe in hand, and succeeded in subduing the flames.
The Fourth of July was not allowed to pass without
patriotic recognition. It vf as a lovely day. The boom-
ing of guns and the sound of martial music opened
the celebration. The forenoon was spent in parades
and target-shooting. In the afternoon, Hon. T. D. Eliot,
member of Congress from Massachusetts, addressed
the men, drawn up in a hollow square, in a most happy
manner ; after which followed a grand dress-parade ;
and the day closed with the kindling of huge bonfires
on all the hills around, on both sides of the river.
The effect was so inspiring, that cheer after cheer rose
from the troops until a late hour at night.
Boston citizens resident in California having con-
tributed to present the regiment a handsome silk ban-
ner, on the Gth of July it was brought out to camp,
and formally given into Col. Cowdin's charge by Sena-
BURIAL OF A COMRADE. 33
tor McDoiigal of that distant State. Speeches were
made by bearer, recipient, Col. Ellis, Col. Wells, and
others ; and the exercises closed with the usual dress-
parade.
On the morning of July 10 occurred the first
death in the regiment. It was that of Charles Grant,
of Company C. His comrades were much attached to
him, and resolved to send his body home. It was ne-
cessary previously that he should be placed in a tomb,
in the Georgetown cemetery ; and the escort marched
to this, four miles distant, in the midst of a furious
thunder-storm, not arriving until it was pitch dark.
The soldiers, preceded by the band with muffled
drums, filed slowly along the avenues of the cemetery
by torchlight, their weapons glittering when the light
glanced upon them ; white tombstones starting up into
ghastly prominence as they marched by, and the darker
ones seeming to slink away into the shadow as if to
avoid observation, while terrific peals of thunder echoed
through the woods, and temporarily drowned every
other sound. Entering the Gothic chapel, the bier, with
its silent burden, was placed before the altar ; and as
the men uncovered, grim and dripping, their muskets
by their sides, and a few flickering candles throwing a
weird, fantastic aspect over every thing, the solemn
sentences of the burial-service, sounding through the
building, made the whole scene more like a revival of
some spectacle from the middle ages than an ordinary
funeral occasion of our own day.
The inhabitants of Georgetown were greatly sur-
prised that so much notice should be taken of a pri-
vate, and supposed that we were burying a general at
least.
34 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Great attention was paid to cleanliness at Camp
Banks. The men were allowed to bathe often in the
canal close by the camp ; and, though some of them
averred tliat the dirty water soiled more than it
cleansed, this could hardly have been the case.
Several severe thunder-storms visited the place, dur-
ing one of which the tents, cook-houses, and shanties
were completely inundated, and a large number of
cooking and other utensils floated off. The soldiers
were all turned out to recover their property, re-ditch
their quarters, and re-pitch some of the tents which had
fallen ; and for a time they were obliged to move about
in a very lively and amusing manner.
At G-reat Falls, on the Potomac, was an important
portion of tlie Washington Aqueduct, in the form, of a
huge granite arch, said to be the largest and most costly
in the country. As it was feared that the rebels might
tamper with or destroy tliis, the whole vicinity was
kept under careful surveillance ; and on Monday, July
the 8th, two companies of the First Regiment (I and
K), under command of Major Chandler, were de-
spatched to relieve some troops who had been sent up
from the District of Columbia. They made the march
in about eight hours, and located their camp upon the
banks of the canal, naming it Camp Richardson, in
honor of Col. I. B. Richardson, of the Second Michigan
Infantry, who was then senior colonel of tlie brigade.
The two companies found constant occupation in
patrolling the canal, and watching the Virginia side of
the Potomac. Rebels had been seen there, and several
shots were exchanged. On one occasion, a brisk en-
gagement was anticipated, and our men, under cover
of a thicket, fired several volleys into the w^oods said
THi: ADVANCE TOWARDS FAIRFAX. 35
to contaiD the enemy ; but, as the woods failed to
respond, the alarm died away, and the men returned
to their tents. It was reported at one time that three
of the rebel pickets had been shot ; but the story was
not generally credited. If the enemy had proposed to
cross the river, they were prevented ; and the great arch
of the aqueduct was not in any way interfered with.
As the army under Gen. Irwin McDowell was then
about to move upon the enemy, at Fairfax Court House,
Companies I and K were ordered to rejoin their com-
mand ; and during the night of Sunday, July 14, they
came back to Camp Banks, arriving before dayhght on
the 15th.
Tuesday, July 16, orders were issued to have every
thing in readiness for an advance ; and at three o'clock,
P.M., the First Massachusetts, in company with the
Second and Third Michigan and the Twelfth New-
York Regiments, constituting Col. Richardson's brig-
ade, crossed into Virginia over Chain Bridge, and
commenced the march towards Vienna, the scene of
Gen. Robert C. Schenck's discreditable surprise.
As this was their first foray upon the famous " sa-
cred soil," the troops were very eager to converse with
all the people in the vicinity of whose habitations the
column marched ; and in the majority of cases, to their
great surprise, they professed to be thoroughly loyal to
the Union. One old lady was especially enthusiastic
in her exclamations of delight as the soldiers marched
by. Two flags bearing the stars and strip 3s waved in
front of her house ; and she stood in close proximity to
the lines, cheering, shaking her handkerchief, blessing
God that she had lived to see such a day, and seeming
half beside herself with joy. Several shook hands
36 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
and conversed with her, to whom she denounced the
rebels in unmeasured terms, and assured us, that, with-
out doubt, we should drive them before us like chaff
before the wind.
Tills was all very cheering, and kept the men in good
spirits until we arrived at Vienna, and went into biv-
ouac, in an open field, about eleven o'clock at night.
Although the enemy had been there and at Lewins-
ville on the previous day, they retired as we advanced,
and cut down trees across the roads in their rear to
prevent a rapid pursuit. On the 16th and 17th, we
saw along the roadside various evidences of the haste
with which they had taken themselves off, in piles
of blankets, with here and there articles of wearing
apparel, which they had abandoned in their retreat.
Before reaching Germantown the next day, a small
village, containing, perhaps, a dozen houses, situated
on the road between Vienna and Fairfax Court House,
it was found that the enemy, or the advance-guard
of the Union army, had fired most of the buildings ;
and, by the time the Massachusetts First had reached
the centre of the town, the flames were bursting
out in every direction. Not the least attempt was
made to extinguish these fires, or to save any thing
from the burning houses. The troops stood still in the
streets, or sat down by the side of the road, while
roof after roof fell in ; looking on with a considerable
degree of interest,, and wondering to which party the
owners owed the destruction of tlieir property ; but that
was all. It was indeed a strange spectacle, especially to
those who, all their lives, had been accustomed to see
the eagerness with which a whole community would
CONVERSATION WITH A REBEL SOLDIER. 37
engage in quenching the conflagration of a single burn-
ing building.
The owners had all decamped, or were carried away
by the rebels, and, if they ever returned, found nothing
bat heaps of ashes where they left comfortable abodes.
There was only one exception, and that was a house
in which were found two rebels sick with the small-
pox. Curious to see these men, and ascertain from a
personal interview whether they were so poorly accou-
tred and supplied as we had been hearing all along,
I obtained permission to pass the guard, and went in.
1 found them lying on the floor, without attendant, no
medicine whatever, and but very little food. One was
in his shirt-sleeves, and the other had on a sort of faded
calico sack. In place of cross-belts and roundabouts,
they had cord and strings. They paid no attention
whatever to me until I spoke to them, but then an-
swered civilly enough, though with evident disinclina-
tion to afford any useful information. I asked the one
who appeared brightest, —
" Do you belong to the rebel army ? "
" Yes."
"What regiment?"
"Fifteenth Georgia."
" Were you born in Georgia? "
"No: in Scotland."
" How long have you been in this country ? **
" Six years."
" Where did you live ? "
" Savannah."
" Why did you join the rebel army ? "
" Had to; nothing else doing."
" Were you forced into the ranks ? "
38 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
"No: couldn't earn any thing to live on."
" Do you think it is right to fight for those wlio are
trying to destroy the Union ? "
" Don't know ; think it right to fight against in-
vasion."
" How many troops have you got here ? "
"Don't know."
"Who is in command ? "
" Don't know."
" Where have they gone ? "
" Don't know."
"Have they intrenched at Centreville? "
" Don't know."
" When did they leave here ? "
" Don't know."
I found that my respondent would not " know " any
thing of importance for me to find out, and left him.
Subsequent inquiries convinced me, that, in intelli-
gence, he was above the average of the rebel rank and
file ; and that the great majority of them were as poorly
provided and cared for as he.
Arrived in sight of Fairfax Court House, the brigade
halted, and skirmishers were sent out to ascertain
whether the enemy held the town. It was found to
have been abandoned : no guns were in the intrench-
ments ; and only old men, women, and children, in the
houses or streets.
Pressing on, the march was continued to the out-
skirts of Centreville, where about six o'clock the troops
went into bivouac for the night. Several stray pigs
here suffered the death-penalty for encroaching upon
the limits of the camp, and were at once appropriated
for rations.
BIVOUAC AT CENTREVILLE. 39
As it was known that the enemy were within four
miles, every precaution was taken to prevent a sur-
prise before morning. None was attempted, however ;
and all night long the grass was covered with the pros-
trate forms of the exhausted men sleeping within reach
of their weapons.
Just before morning, a musket was accidentally dis-
charged, and almost immediately the ground was all
alive with the aroused soldiers all ready for the enemy ;
but no enemy appeared, and nothing came of the
alarm, except an unfortunate accident, whereby William
B. Boag, of Company K, w^as shot through the fleshy
part of the leg just above the ankle. But it proved
only a slight wound, and gave him no more than a
temporary inconvenience.
Early in the morning, the march was resumed, with
the Massachusetts First at the head of the column, fol-
lowed by the Michigan Second and Third ; the New-
York Twelfth closing up the rear.
CHAPTER II.
Blackburn's ford, and the first bull run.
" They say the battle has been lost, — what then ?
There is no need of tears and doleful strains;
The holy cause for which we fought remains,
And millions of unconquerable men.
Repulse may do us good, it should not harm :
Where work is to be done, 'tis well to know
Its full extent. Before the final blow,
Power, nerved to crush, must bare its strong right arm !
Rebels, rejoice, then, while j'ou may; for we,
Driven back a moment by the tide of war,
Regathered, shall pour on ye from afar
As mighty and resistless as the sea.
The battle is not lost Avhile men remain, —
Free men, and brave, like ours, to fight again ! "
R. H. Stoddard.
THE battle of Blackburn's Ford, although hardly
any thing more than a skirmish or reconnoissance
in force, has great interest for members of the First
Regiment, because here they were exposed, for the first
time, to the fire of the enemy, and here acquired their
reputation for steadiness and reliability in the field.
It docs not appear that Gen. McDowell, or the
other generals in command of divisions and brigades,
had any special plan to carry out, but only proposed to
feel of the enemy, and ascertain how their forces were
posted, and what was the form and character of their
position. The first brigade had the advance, the
second was a mile or more behind, and the third and
fourth were two or tliree miles behind the second.
I
«e
THH FIKST ELUNDER AT EULL RUN.
BULL RUN BATTLE-GROUND. 41
The heat of the weather was extremely oppressive, and
water was so scarce, that many eagerly appropriated
the contents of puddles in the road, or stagnant
ditches along the way. Turning off to the left from
Centre ville, the first brigade marched direct for Bull
Run by the road leading down to Blackburn's Ford.
Creeks and brooks in Virginia were called "runs," and
were usually shallow and insignificant streams, espe-
cially during the dry season. This was the case with
Bull Run, which was one of the tributaries of Occo-
quan River. Its banks were covered with a rank un-
dergrowth of bushes and thickets, above which towered,
in certain portions, some of the stateliest forest-trees
to be found in that part of the State.
Either side of the Run was peculiarly well adapted
to the purposes of defensive warfare, as there was a
gentle slope downwards to the bed of the stream, which
had worn a deep chasm through the soft, yellowish al-
luvial soil with which the region abounded. It formed
thus an impassable barrier to cavalry and artillery, and
proved to the crafty Beauregard, in command of the
rebel forces, the best line of defence he could possibly
have selected. Long ranges of plateaux skirted the
Run, some of which were cleared and cultivated, and
others covered with a dense growth of timber. The
approach to the Ford was apparently through the cen-
tre of a farm or plantation, with a house, barn, out-
buildings, and a few fruit-trees on the left, and a large
wheat-field on the right. In front were woods border-
ing the Run, where, as our forces came up, rebel pick-
ets were observed. These suddenly retired at our ap-
proach ; and the skirmishers advanced half-way down
the hill to make observations. They discovered nu-
4*
42 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
merous indications of the rebel infantry in the cleared
spots and around certain builiiings, with here and
there a group of cavalry ; but no batteries were any-
where in sight. Immediate orders were given to
bring up the artillery, and for the advance brigade of
infantry to hasten forward as speedily as possible. The
first battery was posted on the right of the road, and
fired twelve or fifteen shot and shell at various objects
before any notice whatever was taken of it. The ene-
my then replied with four or five rounds from rifled
cannon, which proved that their gunners were perfectly
familiar with the ground, and had got the exact range ;
when the second battery arrived, and was posted lower
down on the left. A hot fire was immediately directed
to the spot whence the enemy's guns had opened ; but,
after four rounds, they ceased to reply. Just then the
infantry arrived, and the principal fighting of the day
commenced. They were posted on both sides of the
road ; the Massachusetts First being on the left, formed
in close proximity to the bushes. Into the woods the
skirmishers advanced under Lieut.-Col. Wells, and
encountered the enemy almost at once. They opened a
galling fire of musketry or rifles, but without attempt-
ing to advance, and seemed only inclined to dispute
the passage of the Run, which they evidently supposed
we intended to make at that point.
Meantime a company had been advanced to take and
hold the house and barn on the left, which was success-
fully accomplished, and the company was ordered
to continue on, and enter the woods as skirmisliers.
Here they encountered an unexpected embarrassment,
from the fact that the rebels wore uniforms so nearly
^ DEATH OF LIEUT. W. H. B. SMITH. 43
like ours in color, that, a few hundred yards apart, it
was impossible to tell who were friends, and who foes.
Lieut. William H. B. Smith discovered the enemy,
as he supposed ; but seeing how they Avere attired, and
fearing to give the order to fire, lest he might shoot
some of our own men, he ran forward, exclaiming,
" Who are you ? " The rebels replied with the same
question, " Who are you? " when Lieut. Smith incau-
tiously responded, " Massachusetts men ; " and no
sooner had the words left his mouth than the rebels
replied with a volley which laid him dead upon the
spot.
At this point, the skirmishers were joined by a couple
of Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves, who seemed inclined to do
a little fighting on their own account. Their regiment
was at least six miles .behind ; but they had smelled the
battle from afar, and were impatient to be in the midst
of it, and see what it was like. So, without waiting
for the formality of a pass, they mingled with the ad-
vancing troops, and were among the first to enter the
woods. Here, being subject to no special orders, they
roamed about at will, doing excellent service in their
own way, and picking off several of the enemy's forces.
In some unaccountable manner, however, they got sepa-
rated before the close of the fight ; and it was almost
amusing to hear the lamentations of the one who came
out last and with evident reluctance, supposing that his
comrade had been killed or taken prisoner. He was
actually crying as he went by the regiment, and, upon
being questioned, replied, —
" I have lost Jim."
" Who was he ? "
'' Jim ? The fellow that went in with me."
44 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
" What has become of him ? "
" 'Fraid he's shot ; didn't want to have that fellow
shot."
" You seem very fond of him."
" Yes : that fellow has run in the Fire Department
with me three years."
" Well, cheer up : you'll find him in Centreville,
perhaps."
" 'Fraid not ; " and off he trudged ; but in Centreville,
sure enough, he did find his companion uninjured, and
as full of anxiety about him as he had been himself on
his account. Both manifested the utmost delight at
meeting again.
After companies G and H had gone some distance
into the woods, they came across a gully, or dry ravine,
which extended downwards in the direction of Bull
Run. Following this, they advanced over broken une-
ven ground, interrupted with high rocks here and
there ; and pushed ahead towards the rebel battery.
Here the gray uniforms of the Massachusetts men
misled certain of the Michigan regiments ; and they
had already levelled their pieces to take aim, when
Capt. Carruth ran in among them, inquiring, ^' Who
are you here ? " — '' Michigan men," was the response.
'' Well, we are Massachusetts men, don't fire ! " was
his remonstrance ; and the danger was averted.
Leaving the ravine, they mounted a moderate de-
clivity which promised to afford a chance for an obser-
vation, and found themselves exposed to a murderous
fire from three separate directions. Each man covered
himself as well as possible, and sought for an opportu-
nity to return the fire. But at first the enemy were
completely invisible. They poured in volley after
REPULSE ON THE LEFT, 45
volley, managing to remain concealed themselves.
At this juncture, one of our guns from Capt. Ayres's
battery was brought into position, at the head of the
ravine, and opened upon the several places where the
rebels lay concealed. This caused a severe fire to be
concentrated upon the gunners, and so checked their
operations, that the rebels, supposing the gun could
be captured, prepared to make an assault. But, just
as they were advancing. Company F appeared in sup-
port of the artillerists, and they drew off their piece
without difficulty.
While this was going on, the New- York Twelfth Reg-
iment received an order to occupy the left of the line,
and advance through the woods in that direction. They
had no sooner started to obey, than a volley was fired
directly in front, which threw them into momentary con-
fusion, and, for a while, completely checked their pro-
gress. The officers, by dint of great exertion, restored
order, and succeeded in making another start ; but
another volley, worse than the former, spread conster-
nation throughout the ranks, and, without waiting for
orders or permission, they broke, and fell back in com-
plete confusion, leaving the left entirely open to the
enemy.
This seemed to decide the fate of the day ; for the
rebels rapidly advanced through the woods, and poured
in so hot a fire upon the seven companies of the First
Regiment, which stood in line of battle waiting for or-
ders, that the men were told to lie down, and let the
shot fly over. For at least half an hour, they remained
in this position, unable to advance or retreat ; while
their skirmishers in the woods beyond, without support,
were slowly falling back to rejoin them. The rebels
46 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
seemed greatly emboldened by this movement, for they
approached the edge of the woods, and formed in line
of battle : but a few well-directed rounds from the ar-
tillery drove them under cover again ; and, during the
remainder of the day, the fighting was mainly confined
to the batteries.
As nothing definite had been agreed upon among the
commanders of the several brigades, concerning the re-
connoissance at Blackburn's Ford, so throughout the
day there seems to have been no understood plan of
action in dealing with the enemy ; and, as everybody
having any authority had no hesitation in expressing
his opinion, or issuing his commands, the multiplicity
of suggestions and orders was simply bewildering to
the men. Moreover, there seems to have been a some-
what clumsy arrangement of forces, which allowed
about three hundred and fifty or four hundred troops to
do most of the fighting, while several thousands were
resting in the immediate vicinity, ready and waiting to
perform their share, if called upon. In falling back,
nearly every thing was allowed to go by default. The
Michigan regiments had been located so far from the
main body of the rebels, and in such a position, away
from the line of battle, surrounded by hills in every
direction, that they had no chance to participate in the
conflict raging on their left. The New- York Twelfth,
after halting in the woods in the rear of the battle-
field, were not re-formed and led back to their original
position, nor was any other regiment required to un-
dertake the task which they had essayed in vain ; and
the two pieces of artillery which were sent down from
Ayers's battery to co-operate with the skirmishers went
into the woods, without any support ; so that, had the
INDECISION OF FEDERAL OFFICERS. 47
enemy made an assault in force, they must have inev-
itably taken them both with all their men.
Moreover, the first attempt having proved, in part, a
failure, as it had uncovered only a portion of the ene-
my's defences, a second one was not ordered, although
three or four hours of daylight yet remained, and whole
brigades could have been summoned to the spot to
make success a certainty.
The effect of such indecision or indifference could
not be otherwise than encouraging to the enemy, while,
to the same extent, it was discouraging to us. Blame
cannot justly be attributed to any particular individual,
inasmuch as caution was indispensable in making ap-
proaches to a spot rendered so formidable by nature
and art as the south bank of Bull Run ; but that the
position was surrendered so early in the day, and with-
out making a stronger demonstration against it, cannot
be otherwise than a matter of regret, especially as, in
leaving the ground, we were obliged to abandon our
dead and wounded to the enemy, some of the latter of
whom we were repeatedly assured subsequently were
bayoneted where they fell.
The cavalry, who were ordered to co-operate with the
Twelfth New- York, and prevent any flank movement
by the enemy on the extreme left of our lines, found
it utterly impossible to advance on horseback through
the forest, and were obliged to dismount, and proceed
on foot. When the Twelfth fell back, several rifled
cannon-balls were sent in among them, which made
their position extremely uncomfortable ; and knowing
they could obtain no artillery in such a place, and
that, while the enemy might seriously injure them, they
could not reach a man on their side, they remounted.
48 THE FIEST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
and dashed through the woods to their original position
in the rear. Simultaneously with this, Companies G
and H, having reached a sheltered position, took a
short breathing-spell, and, not being followed by the
enemy, began to contemplate the possibility of a return
in order to rescue their wounded comrades, and bring
out the dead. At first there was considerable hesita-
tion ; but, when the officers boldly advanced, the men as
eagerly followed. Without much opposition, they
reached the old spot, but again encountered such a
withering fire poured in upon them from three sepa-
rate points, that they were compelled to withdraw with-
out effecting their purpose.
Now commenced the general retrograde movement.
Three fresh regiments liad just been double-quicked
up to support any farther advance ; but it was deemed
expedient to retire, and the word was given. V
None of the troops were in any hurry about it, neith-
er was there the slightest trace of any panic or tumult.
The batteries on either side exchanged a few parting
shots, ours firing the last gun, when the position was
abandoned, and the troops marched back at leisure to
Centreville.
No attempt was made by the enemy to pursue the
retiring column, they continuing to act simply on the
defensive, as during most of tlie day they had done.
It was very evident, too, that they stood in salutary
dread of our well-served artillery, whose fire, we sub-
sequently learned, had been fearfully destructive.
Upon reaching Centreville, it was found that the whole
vicinity was alive with troops, comprising infantry, cav-
alry, and artillery ; most of whom had been marching
all day, and were completely exhausted by the heat
THE FIRST REGIMENT UNDER FIRE. 49
of the weather, and the unusual exertion they were
obliged to put forth to reach the sc3ne of conflict.
The results of the preliminary skirmish at Black-
burn's Ford, although not so gratifying as the most
sanguine had anticipated, were of great importance,
nevertheless, both to officers and men. To thousands
it was the first time they had ever been under fire ;
and they found, contrary to the insulting predictions
of secessionists and their allies, that they could stand
under it. Tried veterans could hardly have exhibited
more intrepidity and coolness than did these inexperi-
enced volunteers, fresh from the farms, workshops,
counting-rooms, and sale-counters of the North.
The seven companies of the First, not acting as skir-
mishers, were exposed for over two hours to the galling
fire of an enemy, the only evidences of whose proxim-
ity were the crack of his rifles, the thunder of his ar-
tillery, and the whir, the shriek, or sharp buzz of the
deadly missiles he sent flying over and among them.
While they were in the open field most of the time,
the enemy were perfectly concealed ; but not a man
quailed who had marched into the field ; and, with
very few exceptions, not one but obeyed with instanta-
neous alacrity every order given, from the beginning
to the end of the struggle. Col. Cowdin was repeat-
edly shot at by rebel marksmen, who singled out his
tall form as a sure target for their bullets ; but he
maintained his position, and moved round among his
men as unflinching and resolute as during an ordinary
parade. Lieut.-Col. Wells and Major Chandler were
also full of valor and spirit; and Massachusetts pluck
was signally illustrated by officers and privates along
the entire line.
5
50 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
On the road from Centreville to the battle-field, and
throughout the woods and bushes contiguous, blankets,
overcoats, canteens, knapsacks, haversacks, books,
maps, and various other articles, were strewn in hete-
rogeneous confusion. The heat was most oppressive,
the dust stifling, the roads rough, and every thing that
could be parted with was thrown aside without cere-
mony. Some men entered the field, having on only
shoes, pants, shirt, hat, musket, and accoutrements.
Several were sun-struck, and fell out by the roadside,
utterly unable to proceed.
The engagement lasted almost continuously from
twelve o'clock till five, and was fought throughout in
an experimental sort of a way, as it was known that the
enemy had a habit of masking his batteries, and keep-
ing under cover as pertinaciously as so many Indians,
until assured of some decided advantage ; and it was
determined not to give him this advantage by being
drawn into any of the numerous traps with which
roads, woods, and thickets abounded, if possible to
avoid it.
It has been said that our forces were beaten at
Blackburn's Ford; but so strong an expression was
hardly justified by subsequent results. They simply
failed. Had they been beaten, they would have been
driven off the field, and compelled to leave it in pos-
session of the enemy. But, to my certain knowledge,
they fired the last shot ; and, when they withdrew, not
a rebel was in sight, and not one undertook to follow
them, or occupy the ground they voluntarily aban-
doned. Our troops, moreover, sheltered neither by
trees, banks, fences, houses, nor walls, able to protect
themselves when the fire was most severe only by fall-
CASUALTIES IN THE FIRST REGIMENT. 51
ing flat upon their faces, obeyed the order to retire
with evident reluctance, and were as full of resolution
when the contest ended as when it began.
Our losses exceeded those of the rebels somewhat,
— if Beauregard's official report may be credited as re-
gards that of the enemy, — amounting to twenty-nine
killed, forty-six wounded, and thirty-eight missing ;
while he sums up a total of only sixty-eight, or fifteen
killed and fifty-three wounded.
The following list was copied from the adjutant's of-
ficial report of the First Regiment the day after the
battle, July 19 : —
Company C : Missing, John W. Boss ; returned.
Company D : Wounded in camp, not fatally. Ser-
geant Moses H. Warren.
Company G : Killed, Second Lieut. William H. B.
Smith, Sergeant Gordon Forrest, Ebenezer Field,
Thomas Riorno, William H. Smart, James S. Silvey.
Company G : Missing, Austin Bigelow, Michael J.
Desmond, — taken prisoners, exchanged, and mustered
out with the regiment ; Edward Field, taken prisoner
and exchanged ; Charles G. Fuller, Samuel T. Long,
taken prisoners, exchanged, and discharged for disa-
bility ; George J. Moore, taken prisoner and exchanged ;
Tliomas S. Parker, taken prisoner, exchanged, and
mustered out with the regiment ; Richard P. Rowe,
wounded, captured, exchanged, and discharged for dis-
ability ; William A. Searles, taken prisoner, exchanged,
and mustered out for disability ; Eugene Stimson,
taken prisoner, exchanged, and mustered out by order
of the War Department, Jan. 10, 1863.
Company H : Killed, Sergeant Thomas Harding,
52 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
George Bacon, Philander Crowell, James H. Murphy,
Thomas Needham, Albert F. Wentworth.
Company H : Wounded, William H. Lane, George
G. Learned, William Grantman, Orville Bisbee, Nelson
S. Huse, George W. Gray, William D. Grover.
Company I: Killed, Corporal Oliver E. Simpson.
Company K : Wounded in camp, Joseph Eltraher,
William R. Boag.
Company K : Missing, George Wheeler ; returned,
discharged for disability.
On the night of the 18th, the troops went into bi-
vouac just out of Centreville, and the next morning
returned to the woods skirting the battle-field of the
previous day. They found that the enemy still re-
tained their former position, having neither advanced
nor fallen back. Arrangements were at once made to
picket the entire position ; and two companies, I and
:K, were sent for this purpose, about a mile to the left,
to a farm-house approachable by bridle-paths from va-
rious directions, which it was deemed expedient to
hold for the present. During the night of the 19tli,
great activity prevailed on both sides. Troops were
hurrying up the turnpike from Washington and Fairfax
Court House to reenforce McDowell ; and the rum-
bling of heavy trains, with the frequent whistling of lo-
comotives, in direction of the Manassas-Gap Railroad,
showed that the rebel numbers were being augmented
as rapidly as possible. During the night the regiment
was roused from its slumbers six or eight times by the
discharge of muskets in rapid succession, showing that
the pickets were on the alert ; and the men turned out
at once each time, and stood prepared for whatever
might follow. But it invariably appeared that the
CENTREVILLE. 53
picket had been disturbed by some innocent cow, had
mistaken a tree for a man, or, hearing a noise, had
fired in the direction whence it proceeded, without wait-
ing to ascertain tlie cause. The rebels also seemed
exceedingly uneasy, and kept up an almost uninter-
rupted fusillade along their picket line ; once or twice
discharging whole regimental volleys in rapid succes-
sion, as if sure they were about to be assailed. Morn-
ing found the position of both parties relatively the
same, however ; and the day wore away without any
material change.
Centreville during this time had been the great focus
of interest; for here the wounded had been gathered,
and here likewise the dead were buried. It would
seem that, in a well-known Virginia town on the high
road, only thirty miles from the capital, boards enough
might have been found to make into rude cofiins for a
few of the dead, but they could not be ; and, as it was
necessary to bury them immediately, they were wrapped
and covered with their own blankets, and thus consigned
to the earth. In»this poverty-stricken town, it was im-
possible to find supplies of any kind or description.
The few people who remained had either hidden, sold,
or been deprived of their stores, and neither wounded
nor sick could obtain any thing beyond what was brought
out in the regimental teams. It should be remembered,
too, that, at this early stage of the war, no ambulance
system had been adopted, nor had the hospital depart-
ment received the study, care, and attention subse-
quently bestowed. Quite a number of congressmen
and other civilians had followed in the wake of the
army to see the fighting, bringing their refreshments
with them ; and I can testify that they shared of tlieir
5*
54 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
abundance with many a poor fellow who had noth-
ing, in no stinted or niggardly manner.
Tlie night of the 20th was mainly a repetition of the
19th, excepting that the principal street of Centreville
was a constant thoroughfare for bodies of troops hurry-
ing forward to form in line of battle for the rapidly
approaching conflict. The position of the Massachusetts
First had been considerably strengthened by earthworks
thrown up in the road, and trees cut down to pre-
vent entrance from the front into the woods ; but, in
other respects, it remained unchanged. Aroused re-
peatedly during the night, the men had made up for it
by sleep in the daytime, and, excepting some dissatis-
{\iction for tlie scant quantity and poor quality of their
rations, were in excellent temper and spirits. It should
be remembered that only subsistence enough to last
three days had been taken from Camp Banks in the
haversacks of the men ; and as this had been exhausted
Friday afternoon, during Saturday, and until noon on
Sunday, when the supply-wagons came up, they had
lived literally from hand to mouth. )^
Sunday morning, July 21, every one was up early.
Troops had been hi motion nearly all night. Gen.
Tyler was to form his division at two, a.m., on the War-
renton Turnpike, threatening the passage of the bridge.
The second and third divisions were to move between
two and three, a.m., to the Sudley-Spring Ford, and,
crossing Bull Run at this point, menace the rebel left
and centre. The fifth division was to remain in reserve
at Centreville and vicinity, holding Blackburn's Ford,
and making sucli demonstrations with artillery as miglit
be deemed advisable.
We had more than tliirty thousand men, of whom
FIRST BATTLE OF' BULL RUN. 55
eighteen thousand were engaged ; the enemy over
forty, and some state nearer sixty thousand, with nearly
thirty thousand engaged. Soon after six o'clock in the
morning, a rifled Parrott thirty-two-pounder began to
shell the woods beyond Blackburn's Ford, to discover if
possible the whereabouts of the rebel batteries. Nothing
made response but the reverberations whicli rolled over
the hills, and shook the woods for miles around. But
it was the signal, the dread note of preparation, for the
deadly work about to commence along both lines of
battle. The enemy remained obstinately under cover.
They had constructed their lines of defence, planted
their guns, and posted their infantry in the best posi-
tions the country would afford ; and it was evident that
our troops must ferret them out. Ult was a kind of
warfare well calculated to test the valor of the bravest
men ; and neither few nor weak were the maledictions
heaped upon these skulking exponents of Southern
chivalry for refusing fair fight in the open field. But
this new kind of hide and seek had got to be played
out to its fearful and bloody end ; so the men tightened
their belts, examined their pieces, and began in skirmish
line their cautious hunt after the lurking foe. In the
centre and beyond, on the plains of Manassas, the coun-
try was open, but on either side, closed in a semi-circu-
lar belt of untrimmed woods, whose obscure depths
were fearfully ominous of ambuscades, masked batte-
ries, and whole brigades of infantry lying flat on their
faces, waiting to pour in their murderous fire. As the
. skirmishers approached the trees, a white puff of smoke
here and there, followed by a sharp crack and the
snappish ring of the rifle-bullet, told that they had not
been unobserved. Advancing still, followed by a bat-
56 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
tery and a line of battle debouching right and left, the
intermittent shots became more regular and rapid,
until, as they entered the woods, the entire solitude
seemed suddenly peopled with angry masses of troops
who broke forth into volleys of musketry so fierce and
rapid, accompanied with rounds of artillery concealed
behind fallen trees so close and fatal, that our troops
were fain to retire and re-form. But, having found their
foe, it soon became his turn to receive fires as rapid
and fiercer than his own. A system of fighting so das-
tardly had only the effect to fill the Union soldiers
witli indignation ; and when their blood was up it mat-
tered not what obstacles presented themselves, for noth-
ing seemed insurmountable. Batteries were brought
up, planted, and trained upon the hostile lurking-
places, sharp-shooters crept within easy range, and
made a target of the puffs of white smoke which gave
assurance of men close by them ; and regiments pene-
trating the forest took each one to his tree, and fired
at will. So folio whig a retreating line, they came all of
a sudden upon a battery of eight guns. It opened al-
most in their faces, but, fortunately, was aimed too high.
The shot flew over. Uncovered, however, it was im-
mediately assailed in front and flank. The gunners
loaded and fired with furious energy ; but every mo-
ment saw one or more of them crippled or slain. The
great rifled Parrott dropped its shells close by their am-
munition-chests, while Carlisle's howitzers swept the
space between cannon and caisson with such an iron
storm, that one after another the guns were silenced, and
the rebels forced to lie down to save themselves from
annihilation.
At the same time, far up on the right, Burnside's
ADVANCE OF THE FEDERAL LINE. 57
brigade, having crossed Bull Run in pursuance to or-
ders, was immediately assaulted by the enemy in force,
who made every possible effort to drive it back before
the rest of the division could get over to its assistance,
or Col. Heintzleman's division form to approach the
hostile centre. But it was in vain. Whole regiments
broke from the column, leaped fences, jumped ditches,
and advanced upon the double-quick to the support of
their hardly pressed comrades.
The rebels were evidently taken by surprise. Every-
where they found themselves confronted by the Federal
forces. They were heated, panting, and stripped, some
of them, almost to the skin, but full of fight, and deter-
mined to advance. Fire was opened upon them from
infantry and artillery along the entire front. The
killed and wounded fell by scores. Hunter himself had
been disabled, Col. Slocum was killed. Col. Marston
wounded, Major Ballou severely injured: the field
seemed half covered with men bearing a comrade be-
tween them saturated with blood to the hospital, but still
the line moved on. Fresh battalions marched forward
relieving those whose guns were overheated or whose
cartridge-boxes were empty, and increasing the enthusi-
asm already wrought up to a fearful pitch, when slowly
and sullenly the enemy gave way. Instantly it was
observed, and instantly the fact was announced by ov-
derlies riding furiously along the whole line. If the
men needed encouragement, they now had it. Burn-
side and Porter were doubling up the rebel left with
every volley, while Tyler and Heintzleman came thun-
dering down upon the centre, pressing back the reluc-
tant columns through woods, and over the plains, and
making it evident to the most distant spectator that the
58 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS BEGUIENT.
\
day was almost ours. Several charges had been made
upon the enemy's lines, during which our men rushed
with irresistible impetuosity upon them, forcing them to |
give ground at the point of the bayonet. The New-
York Sixty-Ninth Volunteers were especially notice-
able for the vigor and spirit with which they performed
this service. They took upon the flank one regiment,
which, having retreated into a hay-field, endeavored to
make a stand, and retrieve its failing fortunes. The
men rushed at them utterly beside themselves with
belligerent ardor. They threw away knapsacks, coats,
and haversacks, and stripped, as though each man
was preparing to have a personal set-to. The enemy
did not wait for the shock of a collision. One volley ;
and they sought safety in flight. So from point to
point they were being pressed back along the whole line i
of battle. Our men invariably beat them when they
endeavored to make a stand in the open field, and from
most of their lurking-places in the woods, they had been
gradually unearthed ; so that in all directions it became
evident that they were being sorely discomfited, and
were inclined to give way.
Still, wherever they could, they disputed every inch
of our advance. At noon, the battle raged furiously
along a line at least three miles in extent. The roll of
musketry, the roar of cannon, the bursting of shells, ^
the dull whir of solid shot, intermingled with the shouts
of thousands, made an incessant din. Far above every
thing else, now and then would sound out the boom of
the thirty-two-pound Parrott ; and then the batteries, one
after another, in rapid succession, would discharge all
their guns, raising an uproar which was heard as far as
Fairfax Station, Alexandria, and even Washington itself.
THE REBEL LINE FORCED BACK. 59
Above woods, meadows, and hill-tops rose clouds of
thin bluish-white smoke from the guns of the foemen
below ; while the roads in every direction were distinctly
marked by immense volumes of dust, which rose over
the trees, and were borne away by the wind as the
various bodies of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, were
\ manoeuvred to take fresh positions along the front of
I battle.
I Near the centre of the contending forces was a high
j hill commanding the country around in every direction.
I The tide of battle had swept along its base several
i times in succession ; but it became at last important that
I it should be carried and held. Upon it was an open
rebel battery with long lines of riflemen gathered for
\ its support. Every regiment that advanced against it
was almost a forlorn hope ; but seven or eight times in
succession, through a perfect storm of iron and lead,
half a dozen of our regiments did advance against it,
finally paused upon its summit, unfurled the stars and
stripes, and raised cheer on cheer over their victorious
achievement. Pursuing their advantage over the hill
and down into the valley, they met in nearly every en-
counter the same inspiriting good luck. The columns of
the enemy everywhere fell back. Breastwork after
breastwork was scaled and carried, thicket after thicket
cleared out, battery after battery unmasked ; and as
now the rebels seemed less furious in their resistance,
less rapid in their firing, less obstinate in the mainte-
nance of their positions, our own fire began to slacken,
and hundreds of our men who had been at work nearly
fourteen hours in smoke, dust, and insufferable heat,
half famished with hunger and thirst, improved the
temporary lull to procure a little refreshment.
60 THE Fin ST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
But the enemy were still hard at work, — not now with
powder and ball, but hurrying forward reenforcements
as fast as cars could land them upon the field. It is
doubtful, had tlie attack been continued, if they would
have stood at all. Having been apparently abandoned,
they made preparations to renew it themselves. By
some unfortunate blunder on our part, batteries were
allowed to take post in an open field without any in-
fantry support, or, as some say, the commanding officer
was deceived in supposing that a regiment of rebels in
the woods close by was the Federal infantry support ;
and, sooner than it takes to write it, a withering fire but
a few hundred yards distant had killed aiKl wounded
horses, cut down cannoneers, and thus disabled most
of the guns. At about the same time, firing was re-
sumed by the rebels along nearly their entire front ; and,
by another unfortunate blunder, our men, lying down
and resting, snatching a morsel to eat, or attending to
their wounded comrades, were not in a condition at ;
once to return it. By another unfortunate blunder \
still, commissary wagons and other military teams had ^
been allowed to drive indiscriminately upon the battle-'
field, with ammunition and supplies, instead of being
properly parked in the rear ; and whenever cannon-shot
or shell from the rebel batteries fell into ^ their midst,
they caused confusion, and, finally, at the close of the;
day, a general stampede.
By still another unfortunate blunder, the reserve
forces stationed at Centreville and Fairfax Court House
were not called upon to participate in the engagement
at all. During tlie entire day, they heard tlie roar
of tlie conflict, and saw many of the wounded as
they were brought from the field ; but themselves re-| ■
. RETROGRADE MOVEMENT. 61
mained inactive, and might as well have been in the
moon. It is said also that some lumdreds of civilians
who were very eager and anxious to see the fighting
were no less eager and anxious to drive out of the way
when the enemy took position where their proximity
might prove dangerous ; adding by their trepidation and
hasty retirement not a little to the alarms of the hour.
There is no doubt that the enemy knew exactly how
many men we had, and what would be the general plan
of our attack : for farmers, and other residents of the re-
gion all about, were allowed the freedom of our lines,
and, on various pretexts, were constantly passing in and
out of our camps.
Gen. Scott declares that our forces were in too
much of a hurry, too eager, too confident, too certain
of victory, and tried in one day to accomplish the work
of three. Be that as it may, the day seemed to be
ours, the victory just within our grasp, defeat an utter
impossibility, when, all of a sudden, every tiling was
reversed.
The unsupported gunners of Griffin's and Rickett's
batteries fell back, leaving their pieces at the mercy
of the enemy. The exhausted infantry, taken at a
disadvantage, deprived of nearly all their officers in
various ways, fought stubbornly a while, and then fell
back, some according to orders, and some without
\ orders. The supply-teams made off at full speed,
aiming for the nearest place of safety. Lookers-on
from all quarters joined in the general retrograde ; and
the day which had been so nearly won was utterly and
irretrievably lost. The flight that followed, over hill
and plain, along the roads, and through the fields or
woods, it seemed utterly impossible to arrest. Hun-
62 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
dreds of brave men attempted it, some of them civil-
ians ; commanding, imploring, and trying to shame the
troops into making a stand ; but the tide had turned,
and it carried every thing before it. For miles, and
from all parts of the battle-field, a heterogeneous throng
of soldiers poured along, some on the keen jump, and
others hurrying to get out of the way, without any
regard to orders, officers, or plan of operations. Army-
wagons, ammunition-teams, sutler's conveyances, hacks,
barouches, country carts, pieces of artillery, and cais-
sons drove wildly ahead, knocking down many of the
fugitives, and adding to the general dismay. At one
bridge, where tlie passage had become obstructed,
horses were cut loose from teams and batteries, mounted
by whomsoever happened to be nearest and strongest,
and driven rapidly away. Men were constantly shout-
ing, " Where is the regiment ? " as they swarmed along
towards Centreville ; and their only answer was the
same question, asked from another quarter. The cav-
alry, in a state of complete disorganization, mixed in
with the infantry, and spurred tlieir horses along with-
out any regard to life or limb, while ponderous gun-
carriages came dashing through the crowd, scattering
it right and left, or crushing under their heavy wheels
those unable to get out of the way. By the road-side
sat many of the wounded with arms, lieads, or hands
bound up, and piteously besought horsemen to take
them up behhid, or tried to climb into the wagons
which had been emptied of their contents, and filled
with terror-palsied runaways. In some cases they
were successful ; but in others they were answered by
oaths, or pushed off with bayonets. Military property
of every description was abandoned wholesale. Pow-
THE FEDERAL ARMY PANIC-STRICKEN. 63
der, cannon-balls, muskets, cartridges, clothing, accoutre-
ments, harnesses, shovels, picks, cooking-utensils, axes,
blankets, and tents strewed the roads for miles, or were
piled up in the fields in heaps. At least a dozen supply-
wagons had been capsized, intentionally or otherwise, and
their contents appropriated without waiting for the usual
forms. Barrels of flour, sugar, rice, and coffee, chests
of tea, sacks of corn and oats, boxes of hard-bread,
casks of vinegar and molasses, with liberal supplies of
corned beef and salt pork, stood open in the road, no
one to guard them, thougli surrounded by soldiers,
and were issued without regard to the " rules and regu-
lations," and in utter defiance of " red tape."
Not till the retreating army reached the vicinity of
Centreville, did they seem relieved of the intense anx-
iety which had spread throughout their ranks. There,
extending across the road, and reaching far out into
the fields on both sides, was Blenker's brigade. They
were to guard the rear. They stood firm as the hills,
while the panic-stricken multitude rushed through
their line like a tornado. From five o'clock till sunset,
throughout the evening, and until two o'clock the next
morning, Blenker held this position, putting forward
his skirmishers at every sign of an attack from the
enemy's cavalry, and repulsing one about eleven, P. M.,
which, had it been successful, would have opened the
way for their whole army to take up the pursuit. As
it was, the rebel cavalry were driven back ; the throng-
ing, hurrying multitude got by ; the sick, the slightly
wounded, the worn out, came on in thinner lines, with
larger and larger spaces between their jaded and stag-
gering groups ; and at last the brigade took up tlie line
of march towards Washington, leaving the battle-field,
64 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
where such prodigies of valor had been performed,
alas ! it seemed in vain, strewn with our dead and
wounded, and several hospitals, tilled with those too
seriously injured for removal, in the hands of the
enemy.
At Blackburn's Ford, where the Massachusetts First
had been stationed throughout the day, no demonstra-
tion had been obtained from the enemy until night.
Although it had been anticipated that they would make
their principal assault in this direction, they seemed to
have divined or been made acquainted with Gen.
McDowell's plan of attack upon their left, and devoted
all their energies to its repulse. Hence, although Col.
Richardson shelled their position repeatedly with a
couple of ten-pound rifle-guns, holding four regiments
in line of battle to be ready for every emergency, they
made no response. All day long the men watched the
woods, the road, the clouds of dust and smoke, and
the progress of the fighting on their right, but had no
enemy to meet themselves. Two companies of the First
( I and K ) were in and around the buildings of a
farm, considerably to the left of the line. Another
company half-way between the two positions had been
stationed in a ravine, with pickets thrown out to the
front ; and the balance of the regiment was posted on
the right, in line of battle in the edge of a piece of woods
on the crest of a commanding eminence, just in the
rear of Lieut. Green's regular battery. So the day
wore away. About noon, the mail arrived and was dis-
tributed. Abundant rations also had been brought for-
ward ; and, as every thing had apparently been going
in our favor, the soldiers were in the best of spirits.
Various bodies of rebel troops had been observed
POSITION OF THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS. 65
throiigli field-glasses, gathering in front and on the
left of our position, which had accordingly been
strengthened by throwing up a parapet of earth, having
three embrasures to rake the road, and by forming an
abatis of trees extending several hundred feet to the
right and left.
Skirmishers had advanced into the woods, nearly in
front, but fell back upon finding the enemy in force ;
not having any instructions to attack.
At five o'clock, p.m., orders were passed down tlie
line to fall back. What could it mean ? At the same
time some movements were observed on the left, and
soon after a heavy column of rebel infantry advanced
cautiously along a ravine fronting the farm-house held
by Companies 1 and K, and endeavored to file to the
right. They were challenged repeatedly, but without
obtaining any reply, and at last fired at. The fire
they immediately returned, and the action became
general. Our men were in a log-barn firing through
the chinks, and behind a Virginia fence aiming over
the rails. They were assisted also by Capt. Hunt's
battery, which threw shell and canister into the rebel
ranks, so that they were compelled to fall back, and
cover themselves within the ravine again. The order
then came round that our forces were to retire. Lieut.
Elijah B. Gill, jun., of Company I, had been instantly
killed by a rifie-ball through the heart ; and Corporal
John F. Baxter, of K, dangerously wounded. Stretclier-
bearers were appointed to carry both to the rear, and
in good order the place was left behind. Arrived upon
the hill just this side of Centreville, it was found that
the army of the North was in full retreat. Hundreds
6*
66 TEE FIFST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
upon liuiidreds of bewildered and excited soldiers were
rushing along through dust and confusion towards
Fairfax Court House. With the other regiments of
the brigade, the First quietly formed in a hollow square
in rear of the artillery, which, meantime, had been
playing upon the rebel cavalry advance, and, soon
after dark, most of the men laid down and went to
sleep. At this time, a grave was hastily dug for Lieut.
Gill ; funeral services were held over his remains by
candle-light ; and he was laid in his last resting-
place.
Between eleven and twelve o'clock, the brigade was
aroused, and started in rear of the artillery towards
Washington. It was the last brigade but one to leave
the field, and moved away as quietly as to a change of
camps. The road, by this time, had become compara-
tively clear, and at every step we saw evidences of the
haste and terror in which our forces had made off.
About daylight on the 22d, a moderate rain set in. It
proved a great blessing to many. At noon, the regi-
ment reached Canal Bridge, nearly opposite George-
town, and was delayed two hours, waiting for a pass
to go over into camp. At last the pass arrived ; and
the weary men, hungry, drenched, and sorely per-
plexed by our unexpected failure, marched into their
tents, took supper, and were soon stretched upon the
ground in profound slumber.
The national loss at Bull Run was fifteen hundred
and ninety ; killed alone, four hundred and seventy-
nine.
The rebel loss was fifteen hundred and ninety-three,
of whom three Imndred and ninety-three were killed.
^
FEDERAL LOSSES. 67
We lost also twenty-nine pieces of artillery, a large
number of wagons, and some several hundred thou-
sand dollars' worth of property.
But we lost neither heart, nerve, will, confidence,
nor determination. We had failed in a battle, but not
for the war.
CHAPTER III.
FORT ALBANY, BLADENSBURG, AND LOWER MARYLAND.
" All quiet along the Potomac to-night,
Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming;
Their tents in the rays of the clear autumn moon,
Or the light of the watch-fires, ai-e gleaming.
There's only the sound of the lone sentry's tread
As he tramps from the rock to the fountain.
And thinks of the two in the low trundle-bed
Far away in the cot on the mountain." — Anon,
THE regiment was not permitted to remain long
at Camp Banks. On the morning of the 23d,
orders were received to pack up every tiling, and
move across the Potomac to tlie vicinity of Arlington
Heights. By noon, the companies were in motion.
Nothing transpired on the route worthy of mention,
and at night the men turned into a field, about a mile
from Washington in a straight line, on the Potomac,
or rather on the canal which crossed it just above
this point. The night was passed in the open air, in
consequence of the tents not having arrived in time.
The place chosen for the camp proved to be an unfor-
tunate selection, on account of its dampness and the
heavy fogs at night ; and, after remaining one day and
two nigiits, the camp was removed to Fort Albany, an
earthwork just commenced upon the most elevated
spot of ground on Arlington Heights, overlooking not
FORT ALBANY. 69
iiily Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria, but
he country round about for nearly a dozen miles in
very direction. In the vicinity of the capital, and
hroughout the country, it was pretty generally ex-
)ected that Beauregard would follow up the advantage
le had gained on the 21st instant, collect troops and
Qunitions of war as speedily as possible, and lay siege
o Washington. A formidable cordon of forts was
herefore projected for its protection. They were to
>e connected by unbroken lines of rifle-pits, covered
rays, and breastworks to shield infantry ; and to em-
irace an area of at least twenty miles across, and a
lundred miles or more in circumference. The forts
VQVQ all located on the highest hills surrounding the
;ity of Alexandria and the District of Columbia, and
^ere constructed of earth, timber, and some masonry, in
he most thorough and careful manner. They contained
veils, bomb-proofs, and magazines ; were surrounded
s^ith ditches, fringed and planted with abatis of sharp-
)ointed branches ; and mounted variously a dozen, fif-
een, twenty, or more guns, of every caliber. To give
,hese guns the widest possible range, forest-trees,
proves, and orchards were levelled with the ground all
iround them ; and, in some instances, houses and
)arns torn down or removed.
Fort Albany was situated south-west from the city
)f Washington about two miles, and by the road over
Liong Bridge four or five. It overlooked a long stretch
)f the Potomac River, and nearly the whole extent of
;he capital, from the Georgetown line above to the
Washington Navy Yard below. Its heavy guns were
ntended to command not only the river and city in
70 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
front, but also the whole sweep of farming country
extending to the south and west.
Previous to taking possession of tliis fort, the regi-
ment was reviewed by President Lincoln, Secretary
Seward, Col. Richardson, and others, and, after arriv-
ing there, by an aide of Gen. McClellan's. Its num-
bers had been somewhat diminished by discharges for
disability and other causes ; but those who remained
were full of loyalty, spirit, and confidence in our final
success. For several days, the forenoons were occupied
in felling timber all round the fort, and the afternoons
in battalion or brigade drills. New clothing was is-
sued to the men ; and, on the 29th of July, they were
paid off to the first of the month in gold and silver.
They seemed fully to appreciate the gravity of the
charge they had received ; namely, to hold, and, if
need be, defend, Fort Albany against assault; and
entered upon the requisite preliminary drill with the
big guns in right good earnest. It was an inter-
ruption to their regular duties as infantry by no
means fancied by some of their officers, however ; but
orders have to be obeyed, and the heavy pieces were
rolled backwards and forwards for the stipulated time
each day, in mimic loading and firing at imaginary
foes, until they were handled with the utmost celerity
and ease.
About this time, crowds of visitors — friends of the
soldiers, or novelty-seekers in general — used to besiege
the office of the Provost Marshal in Washington for
passes to the camps. In most cases, they were suc-
cessful ; and it was quite a treat to see them among
the tents. Gen. B. F. Butler made a semi-official visit
of inspection ; and his honor Mayor Wightman, ac-
FREQUENT NIGHT ALARMS. 71
companied by Aldermen Amory, Hatch, Pray, Par-
meiiter. Rich, and Wilson, with Councilmen Burr,
Barker, Clark, and Richards, from Boston, gave us a
call at Fort Albany. These visitors generally brought
something with them, or left something behind them,
which afforded tangible evidence of their thorough
sympathy with the soldiers, and thus contributed no
little to keep them steadfast to the cause.
Night-alarms were of frequent occurrence. The
enemy were encamped in force within ten miles ; and
every regiment on our side was kept in constant readi-
ness to repel an assault. Temporary earthworks, com-
manding the road for several miles, had been thrown
up at various points ; and from these alarms would
occusionally be communicated, which aroused the sol-
diers of a Avhole brigade. They would fall into line
in the darkness, wait half an hour or more, and then
resume their slumbers.
Scouts and spies were, without doubt, constantly cir-
culating through the national camps, gathering and
conveying all the information needed at rebel head-
quarters as to our numbers, occupation, and designs.
From the back country they came with fruits, pies,
eggs, &c., and, under the guise of innocent hucksters,
passed in and out unquestioned. Several avowed se-
cessionists were also allowed to remain in the undis-
turbed possession of their houses in the vicinity, be-
cause they had not taken up arms against us, although
it was well understood what their sympathies were,
and what they would be likely to do under favorable
circumstances.
It must be confessed that the country had hardly
begun to realize the extent of the struggle before it,
72 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
or the nature of tlic foe with which it had got to con-
tend. According to a special order issued by Beaure-
gard at Manassas, July 23, all classes of citizens in
Virginia were expected to contribute their quota of
forage to the rebel army, and, if any should presume
to deny their obligations, " constraint was to be em-
ployed."
In Richmond, Ya., a call was issued for an organized
association of freebooters and cut-throats, to be called
the " Devoted Band." It read as follows : —
" The shortest path to peace is that which carries
havoc and desolation to our invaders. It is believed
that there are five or ten thousand men in the South
ready and willing to share the fate of Curtius, and de-
vote tliemselves to the salvation of their country. It
is proposed that they shall arm themselves with a
sword, two five-sliooters, and a carabine each, and
meet on horseback at some place to be designated, con-
venient for the great work on hand. Fire and sword
must be carried to the houses of those who are visiting
tliose ])lessings upon their neighbors. Philadelphia, and
even New York, are not beyond the reach of a .long
and brave arm. The moral people of these cities can-
not be better taught the virtues of invasion than by
the blazing light of their own dwellings.
" None need apply for admission to the Devoted
Band but those who are prepared to take their lives
in their hands, and who would indulge not the least
expectation of ever returning. They dedicate their
lives to the destruction of their enemies. All South-
ern papers are requested to give this notice a few in-
sertions.
"A. s. B. D. B.
" Richmond, July 24."
\
ORDERS TO MOVE COUNTERMANDED. T6
Such appeals as the above, constantly emanating
from the Southern press, showed how thoroughly their
leaders appreciated the nature of the crisis upon which
they had entered.
With us, there might have been an equal degree of
resolution ; but there was far less excitement and heat,
which made our Government less mindful of minute
details, and more concerned, perhaps, about compre-
hensive general plans.
For some time, a growing dissatisfaction had existed
regarding our connection with Col. Richardson's brig-
ade. It originated from several trivial causes, not
worth mentioning, but combined to create so strong
a feeling, that efforts were finally made to secure a
change of position. They were not without success.
On the 9th, orders were received, early in the morn-
ing, to strike the tents, pack every thing, load up the
wagons, and betake ourselves to the vicinity of Bla-
densburg, on the other side of the river, beyond the
capital. The orders were obeyed with alacrity ; and
the men had just gotten their tents all down, their
knapsacks packed, and their company-teams about
two-thirds loaded, when the orders were counter-
manded. It was rumored that the enemy were ad-
vancing, and would soon be upon us. There were no
other troops in the neighborhood who could work the
great guns at Fort Albany; so, for the present, we were
delayed. Tents were repitched, knapsacks unpacked,
wagons unloaded again ; and there was a general set-
tling-down into the old places. But it did not last
long. On the 13th, as the rebels did not make their
appearance, the orders to move were again issued, and
this time carried out. The command, accompanied
74 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
by twenty-five iv agon-loads of baggage, left Fort Alba-
ny at eight o'clock in the morning, marched over Long
Bridge, and through Washington, to a pleasant knoll
of ground, just this side of Bladensburg (ten miles in
all), through a drenching rain, where a new camp was
laid out, tents pitched, and the regiment regularly
incorporated into Brig.-Gen. Hooker's brigade, com-
posed then of the Eleventh Massachusetts, the Second
New-Hampshire, the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania, and
the First Massachusetts Eegiments.
An impression had arisen among the soldiers, in
some way, that they were soon to be discharged. Sev-
eral even refused to be sworn in by the mustering offi-
cer. The impression remained at least six months,
and was removed at last only by time. Important ap-
pointments were made about this time to fill vacancies
occasioned by resignation and death.
George H. Smitli, of East Boston, was commissioned
captain of Company B, in place of Edward Pearl, re-
signed. Charles S. Kendall, of East Boston, was com-
missioned first lieutenant, in place of George H.
Smith, promoted; and Henry Parkinson was commis-
sioned second lieutenant in place of Charles S. Ken-
dall, promoted. Harry Gray, of Company B, having
passed a successful examination, received the appoint-
ment of medical cadet in the army, and was ordered
to report out West. Joseph H. Dal ton, of the same
company, was made quartermaster's sergeant. In
Company F, George E. Henry was commissioned first
lieutenant, and William P. Cowie, second, in place of
George E. Henry, promoted. In Company G, Francis
H. Ward was commissioned captain m place of Henry
A. Snow, resigned ; and John McDonough second
REVIEW BY GEN. HOOKER. 75
lieutenant in place of William H. B. Smith, killed at
Blackburn's Ford. In Company H, Horatio Roberts
was commissioned first lieutenant in place of Albert
S. Austin, made commissary of subsistence. In Com-
pany I, Forrester A. Pelby was commissioned second
lieutenant in place of Elijah B. Gill, jun., killed at
the battle of Bull Bun.
Early on the morning of August the 15th, the regi-
ment, and every thing appertaining to it, was inspected
by Gen. Hooker, who showed himself to be a thorough
disciplinarian, a careful observer of every thing that
went on, and a generous and friendly officer in all his
intercourse with the men.
Bladensburg, near which the brigade was encamped,
had considerable historical repute, although, of itself,
as to size and wealth, an inconsiderable place. Most
of its inhabitants were loyal to the Union, although
not so outspoken, on account of threats and insults
from secessionists, as they would have been in New
England. The place was famous for a fine spring
whose waters were said to contain healing properties,
and which was much resorted to from Washington and
the neighboring places. The town and its vicinity had
been the battle-ground between the American and
British forces, in the conflict which resulted in placing
Washington at the mercy of the latter. The English
had three thousand men, all veterans ; the Americans
eight thousand, all raw recruits, who, with the ex-
ception of four hundred seamen under Capt. Barney,
had never been in a fight.
The conflict commenced about one o'clock, on the
24th of August, 1814, and lasted over three hours.
The militia broke and ran for their lives as soon as
k
t6 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
charged upon. Most of them did not fire a gun; and
some ran so far on that afternoon, that it took them
three days to get back again. Capt. Barney's seamen
displayed more valor. His artillery kept up a galling
fire upon the British lines, until he was flanked by su-
perior numbers : eleven marines were killed by his
side ; and he was wounded, and unable to stand. He
then gave the order to retreat, and the British at once
marched on to Washington. It may be interesting to
read wliat an English officer, named Gleig, of the
Eighty-fifth Royal Regiment, who was in this action,
says of it.
" The battle," he writes, " by which the fate of the
American capital was decided, began about one o'clock
in the afternoon, and lasted till four. The loss on the
part of the Englisli (including those afterwards killed
in Washington by accident and otherwise) was up-
wards of five hundred men killed and wounded ; among
whom were several officers of rank and distinction.
On the American side, the slaughter was not so great.
Being in possession of a strong position, they were, of
course, less exposed in defending, than the others in
storming it ; and, had they conducted themselves with
coolness and resolution, it is not conceivable how the
day could have been won. But the fact is, that with
the exception of a party of sailors from the gunboats,
under the command of Capt. Barney, no troops could
behave worse.
" The skirmishers were driven in as soon as attacked,
the first line gave way without offering the slightest
resistance, and the loft of the main body was broken
within half an lioiir after it was seriously engaged.
Of the sailors, liowcvcr, it would be injustice not to
THE BATTLE AT BLADENSBURG. 77
speak in the terms which their conduct merits. They
were employed as gunners, and not only did they serve
their guns with a quickness and precision which aston-
ished their assailants ; but they stood their ground till
some of them were actually bayoneted with fuzes in
their hands. Nor was it until their leader was wound-
ed and taken, and they saw themselves deserted on all
sides by the militia, that they retreated."
The battle-field is still pointed out to visitors ; and
the Bladen sburgi an s are often not a little annoyed by
some bantering quiz asking them the way to the
American race-course of 1814.
On account of an act of Congress passed in 1839,
making duelling penal within the District of Columbia,
and the offender liable to ten years' hard labor in the
penitentiary, a secluded spot in Bladensburg was usu-
ally resorted to by those intent upon redress of griev-
ances by mortal combat. The first duel fought re-
sulted in the death of Edward Hopkins, in 1814.
In 1819, A. T. Mason, United-States Senator from
Virginia, challenged John McCarty, his sister's hus-
band. McCarty was averse to fighting, but Mason
insisted ; and he named muskets as weapons, and the
distance so near that their heads would hit if they
both fell on their faces. The seconds changed this,
and put them twelve feet apart. Mason was killed
outright, and McCarty winged, SiS they term it; that
is, his collar-bone was broken.
Here Commodore Barron killed Commodore Deca-
tur in 1820. At the first fire, both fell with their
heads only ten feet apart. Supposing themselves mor-
tally wounded, they both freely and fully forgave each
7*
78 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
other. Decatur at once expired ; but Barron recov-
ered.
In 1822, Gibson of the Treasury Department killed
Midshipman Locke of the Navy. In 1833, Key and
Shei'born exchanged shots, the first time without ef-
fect. Sherborn then said, " Mr. Key, I have no desire
to kill you." — " No matter," responded Key, " I came
to kill you." — ^' Very well, then," said Sherborn, " I
will kill you." When the word was given, he fulfilled
his threat, and Key fell dead. In 1838, Graves of
Kentucky, assuming J. W. Webb's quarrel with Cilley
of Maine, met, and killed him on this spot. In 1845,
Jones, a lawyer, fought with and killed Johnson, a
doctor. In 1851, occurred the last duel thus far re-
corded, between R. A. Hoole and A. J. Dallas. Dallas
received a ball through the shoulder ; but the wound
soon healed. Hoole was untouched.
During the first night that the regiment passed on
this spot, a soldier connected with the brigade, having
disobeyed orders in visiting the town without a pass,
was arrested, and, in attempting to escape from the
guards having him in charge, shot dead. He was
buried the next day, without any formality of military
honor; not even a single volley being fired over his
grave.
The drills whicli had preceded the advance into
Virginia were now renewed with increased industry.
Every morning, before breakfast, the companies miglit
be seen in various parts of the field, marching, coun-
termarching, wheeling, double-quicking, going through
the manual of arms, practising the bayonet exercise,
<fec. ; and every officer was obliged to be up and dressed
STRICT DISCIPLINE ENFORCED. 79
at roll-call, which was immediately after reveille^ or be
reported delinquent by the officer of the day.
After breakfast came another drill, usually of the
entire regiment, and another of the regiment or brig-
ade at four in the afternoon. Dress-parade was at six
o'clock ; always concluded with a short passage of
Scripture, and prayer by the chaplain.
No one was allowed to go from camp to camp, to
visit Bladensburg, Washington, or the neighborhood,
without written permission, signed by the colonel ;
and at night no one could get round at all, without the
regular countersign. The Washington and Baltimore
Railroad, and the principal common roads of the
country, were strictly guarded day and night, and no
one allowed to pass or repass without compliance with
the established regulations. Many persons were halted,
and some arrested and carefully examined, before being
allowed to proceed. Certain individuals were suffered
to traffic in provisions, clothing, and sundries, on the
highway ; and negroes from the neighboring farms and
plantations came in on Sunday, the only time allowed
them during the week, with baskets of fruit, eggs,
chickens, vegetables, pies, and cake, which they were
very glad to exchange for sugar, tea, coffee, hard-
tack, and old clothes, when money was scarce. These
poor creatures were always happy to see the soldiers,
and seemed to have an instinctive conviction that they
were going to do something for the benefit and eleva-
tion of their race. Sometimes they were outrageously
imposed upon, and sometimes turned out to be abom-
inable cheats ; but to the former they had been all
their lives accustomed, and, as to the latter, the major-
ity had not been taught, and did not know any better.
80 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
On the 20th of August, Gen. George B. McClellan
assumed command of the Army of the Potomac, and
on the 23d, with several members of his staff, reviewed
Gen. Hooker's brigade. On the Sunday following,
Aug. 25, it was again reviewed, by President Lincoln,
Secretaries Seward and Welles, and other gentlemen
connected with the Government at Washington. There
was considerable curiosity throughout the ranks to see
men of such prominence, although they had not be-
come so famous then as they have since ; but these
reviews were by no means popular, inasmuch as they
were long, tedious, lacked spirit and action, and did
not seem to* accomplish any thing, except to make a
grand display.
The camp at Bladensburg was named Camp Union ;
and,duringtheentireperiodof our stay there, regiments
of infantry and cavalry from all the loyal States, bat-
teries of artillery, wagons, tents, ambulances, and
other munitions of war, were carried by tlie camp daily,
in the cars, on their way to the front. The fresh troops
were always greeted with rounds of cheers.
Twice, upon a rumor that the enemy were advan-
cing, the long roll was beaten, and the brigade turned
out to take up the Hue of march towards Wash-
ington ; but the alarms proved false in each case.
There was a general expectation of some movement
in this direction for several weeks, and it was quite
common for the men to startle each other with the
announcement that the cars had arrived to take the
regiment on board ; but they never came, and it is
doubtful whether the change was ever contemplated.
Monday, Aug. 26, ground was broken upon a lofty
eminence at the right of Camp Union, for one of
. PANIC IN BLADENSBURG. 81
the cordon of forts siirrouiiding Washington. Men
were detailed from the several companies to do fatigue-
duty in throwing up the ramparts, levelling the ground,
excavating the ditches, smoothing the glacis, and plant-
ing the abatis. They were industriously occupied several
days ; and, at the conclusion of their labors, the work
was named Fort Lincoln, in honor of the President.
At Camp Union, the troops practised frequently at tar-
get-shooting ; and occasionally the brigade would turn
out for volley firing. The first day this was done, it
had an amusing effect upon the towns-people of Blad-
ensburg; for, hearing the heavy reports of platoons,
companies, and battalions, echoing through the woods,
rolling over the hills, and reverberating among the val-
leys, they supposed that the enemy had come at last,
and we had gone to fighting in good earnest. Old men
and women rushed out into the streets, listened a mo-
ment, seized whatever was close at hand, and started
off for the forest. Younger persons got their horses
and cows together, and, driving them ahead, started
after ; and for an hour or two the quiet old town was
in a perfect panic of consternation and anxiety.
Aug. 30th a flag-pole was erected in camp, close
by the colonel's headquarters : the stars and stripes
were hoisted to the top, and duly saluted by the assem-
bled crowd. Adjutant William H. Lawrence, of East
Boston, was promoted to be aide-de-camp to Gen.
Hooker, with the rank of captain. That this promo-
tion was well deserved has been proved since ; for the
office has been held from that day to this, and the in-
cumbent advanced from grade to grade, until he now
holds the commission of brevet brigadier-general.
I
82 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Lieut. George H. Johnston, of Company E, was ap-
pointed adjutant in place of Capt. Lawrence.
Several men at this time were discharged for disabil-
ity. The variation in temperature between day and
niglit was found to be so great, and the night air to
be so cold and penetrating, that none but the strongest
constitutions could endure the exposure uninjured.
Stout flannel was the only material proper for gar-
ments, with woollen socks and thick woollen under-
clothes. At least one-quarter of the sickness in our
army at this time originated in night exposure, with-
out sufficiently thick clothing. Because days were
warm, thin attire was selected, and, when darkness
came, instead of sleep there was a perpetual shiver.
Lieut.-Gen. Scott's assertion, that sickness kills two
where the bullet does one, is undoubtedly correct ; for,
— not to mention intemperance, — improper diet, insuf-
ficient clothing, unavoidable exposure, and culpable
carelessness, are the prolific causes of disease, which no
exhortations nor warnings could induce many of the
men to guard against, and whose painful consequences
the most skilful medical treatment cannot avert. It is
strange, but no less true, that soldiers are prover-
bially regardless of the preservation of their health.
What may occasion the universal indifference on this
point, is, perhaps, open to dispute, but, that it exists, no
one who has lived among military men will deny. The
French are far more particular in this respect than we
are. Their men are never allowed to camp in insalu-
brious localities if it can possibly be prevented ; and on
a march, to see liis soldiers throw themselves upon
the damp ground, covered with perspiration, would
make a French captain furious. He has no intention
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS. 83
of adding to the list of his foes fever and ague, rheuma-
tism, bowel-complaint, neuralgia, pleurisy, or consump-
tion ; and no intention of seeing the hospital recruited
at the expense of his reputation. In the items of food
and clothing, great care is taken that the former shall
be well selected and thoroughly cooked, the latter
stro]ig, of good material, and well made. In our own
army, the surgeons were seldom consulted regarding
the propriety of camping in one locality or another,
and far less frequently called to examine clothing or
inspect food furnished by the several departments ; and,
as a natural consequence, there was a vast amount of
preventable suffering and sickness endured, and large
numbers of men discharged for disability, or buried,
whose lives and health, by the observance of proper
precautions, might have been preserved.
The proximity of Camp Union to Washington and
Bladensburg made it a place of considerable resort for
civilians ; and a large number availed themselves of the
opportunity to come and pay the soldiers a visit.
Accompanied by his honor Mayor Wightman, of Boston,
Hon. Linus B. Comins made us a call on the after-
noon of Sunday, Sept. 8th, Hon. Mr. Wright, of
Bladensburg, being also one of the party. They ad-
dressed the soldiers for a few minutes in a strain of
patriotic earnestness, and were heartily applauded.
About this time, Dr. Samuel H. Green, who had been
assistant surgeon of the regiment since its organization,
received the appointment of surgeon to the fourth bat-
talion, and bade us farewell. He was succeeded by Dr.
Francis LeBaron Monroe, who had already seen four
months' service with the Boston Light Artillery, sta-
84 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
tioned successively at Mount Clair, near Baltimore, at
the Relay House, and at Annapolis.
Camp-life at Bladen sburg was not without agreeable
episodes, relieving the monotony of military routine, and
giving both officers and men something to talk about
and remember. On the 30th of August, a grand enter-
tainment was given in honor of several young ladies
living and visiting in the vicinity. Several tents were
pitched together so as to make one long, open space for
the tables. This was handsomely decorated with flags,
and adorned v\dth flowers and bayonets, arranged in
clusters representing stars, halos, &c.
The bill of fare was elegantly gotten up on embossed
paper, and read as follows : —
Petit Souper en Bivouac.
Compliment aux Demoiselles
SMALL ET MATHIOT.
Par les eremites de la
PARKER HOUSE MESS.
Service du Soir, 30 A out, 1861.
POISSON.
Sa union fume k la Gridiron.
Vol-au-vent d'Anguilles en I^jtomac.
PLATS FK0ID8.
Jambon de Phipps en tranclies minces.
Poitrine de Poulet.
Cotelettes de Pore en Germantown.
ENTREES.
Salade do Poulet.
Pasticcia, Maecaroni, Con Fegatelli.
LOWER MARYLAND.
85
PATISSERIE ET CONFITURES.
Gateau de Custard, Yankee.
" " Pomme.
" " Washington.
" " Aux fruits.
" " a i'Eponge.
" " k rEscritore.
Gnocchi fritti.
Apricots sees de Damas.
Figues.
Raisins.
Noix diverses.
Marmelade de Pomme.
Naranja Alembar.
Gelatine de Yeau.
Blancmange h I'Union.
Confitures de Peches.
" " Perses.
FRUITS.
Melones de Agua.
Melones Cassabar.
Peches.
BOISSONS.
The, Cafe, Chocolat.
Lait au naturel.
The following German couplet finished the bill : —
Ehret die Frauen. Sie fletchten und weben. Hemm-
lesche Rosen ins izdische Leben.
The regimental band was present and performed
choice airs, polkas, marches, &c., which, while the offi-
cers and their guests enjoyed inside, the men improved
outside by dancing on the ground.
Reports had reached the military authorities in
Washington, that in some parts of Lower Maryland
parties were recruiting cavalry and infantry for the
rebel army ; also that arms, uniforms, and other muni-
tions of war were there concealed, and that a large
amount of material affording aid and comfort to the
enemy found its way through this region into the rebel
lines. Rumor also asserted that forcible interference
would be made at the approaching State election, so as
to secure the return of the rebel ticket. It was therefore
8
86 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
deemed advisable to send a regiment or two of infantry,
and a few hundred cavalry, so that the secession pro-
clivities of tlie inhabitants might be held in salutary
check. Orders were accordingly issued for the First
Regiment to prepare five days' rations, and be in readi-
ness to cross the Annacosta at six o'clock the next
morning, Monday, Sept. 9. Long before daylight
tlie order to turn out went round from tent to tent.
Accoutrements were made ready, haversacks stuffed
as full as possible, knapsacks packed and laid away ;
and at six o'clock precisely, in light marching order, the
line was formed, band playing, colors flying, and colonel
at his post ready for a start. The march commenced
shortly after, and continued, without opposition, through
a semi-hostile country until night, when the soldiers
bivouacked in an oak-grove, not far from tlie quaint
old town of Marlborough.
The earth was their bed, their canopy the sky ; and
before morning a pretty smart shower reminded them
that the windows were all open, or, in other words, that
they were all out of doors. Marlborough, or " Upper
Marlborough," as it is known in the gazetteers, is a
post village situated on a branch of the Patuxent River,
which runs into Chesapeake Bay. It is the capital of
Prince George's County, twenty-three miles south-
west of Annapolis, Md., and contains about one thou-
sand inhal)itants. The river is navigable to the town,
whicli gives it considerable commercial importance.
It contains, besides a court house, jail, and church,
some private residences, which indicate good taste and
considerable wealth on the part of their occupants, but
others which show plainly the contrary.
The people were moderately disunion or non-com-
LOWER MARYLAND. 87
mittal in their sentiments, but emphatically desirous,
like tlie arch-head of tlie Rebellion, to be let alone. No
arms or uniforms were found among them, although
several houses were searched from cellar to attic ; and
the regiment moved on. Wliile crossing the Patuxent
into Anne Arundel County, a scow, on which were
several of the cavalry, capsized ; and, during the confu-
sion which resulted from the accident, a lieutenant
from Kentucky was drowned.
The roads in this part of the country were wholly
unwalled and unfenced passways right through the
centre of plantations. The plantations themselves
were divided from each other by fences, and the pass-
ways closed by large gates swinging entirely across the
road. Every mile or' so, in travelling over the country,
one of these gates would be encountered ; and the
occupant of a carriage would have to get in and out
twenty times or more in course of a day's ride. The
plantations varied greatly in size and appearance.
Some were thrifty, well kept, and evidently profitable ;
others looked barren, desolate, and forsaken. Wheat,
rye, oats, and corn were growing, with acres and acres
of tobacco. Huge barns appeared on nearly every
plantation for drying and storing the weed ; and large
quantities seemed to be on hand, waiting probably for
a rise in prices. Stock was quite abundant, especially
pigs ; and the colored people were more numerous
than the. whites.
It came in my way to see considerable of these col-
ored people, two-thirds of whom were slaves, and, feel-
ing curious to ascertain their actual condition, to ply
them with numerous questions. They were not very
88 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
communicative until questioned, but answered readily
enough if addressed kindly.
One morning, having lost my way, I called at a ne-
gro hut and hired a colored man to pilot me to the
road I sought. As we proceeded I asked him, —
" Are you a slave ? "
''Yes, sar."
" To whom do you belong ? "
" Massa Simson."
>' How long have you been a slave ? "
" Ever since Ise born."
" Are you married ? "
" Yes, sar."
" Is your wife a slave ? "
" No, sar.
''■ Are you not afraid they will sell you away from
your wife ? "
" Nobody'll buy me." (He was old and quite
lame.)
" How much are you worth ? "
" 'Bout six hundred dollars."
" Why does not your wife work and buy you ? "
" She's tryin'."
" Should you like to be free? "
" Reckon I should."
" What would you do? come North ? "
" Reckon not."
"Why not?"
" Couldn't get along ; rather stay here."
" Is your master for the Union ? "
" No ; lie's scccsh, I reckon."
" Are there many seccsh in this country ?"
" Yes; a right smart lot."
CONVERSATIOX WITH A SLAVE. 89
"Do they tell you they are going to beat? "
" Yes (with a grin) ; always say that."
" How many slaves has your master got ? "
" 'Bout thirty field-hands."
" Would they like to be free ? "
" Reckon they would."
" Is he good to them ? "
" Mostly, but have to work hard, sometimes Sun-
day." (Sunday is the negro holiday.)
" Well, you may rest assured and tell them so, that
it will not be many years before you will all be free,
and can go wherever, and do whatever, you please that
is lawful."
He turned suddenly, as if to answer me, but just
then we heard a voice shouting from a door-yard on
the left, " Halloo, Pete ! you, Pete, there ! whar you
goin' ? "
" Goin' to show this gemman the road, massa."
'^ Massa Simson," said he to me aside.
" Well, come right back," said Massa Simson
somewhat anxiously, beginning to feel already, no
doubt, that human chattels were a very slippery species
of property.
" Yes, massa."
He soon put me right, pulled his wool as I paid him,
and said in parting, with an expression of incredulous
sadness on his dusky features, —
" I hopes all you've told me'll come true one o'
these days."
The extravagant fondness of these people for line
clothes and trinkets was very amusing. Bright-colored
handkerchiefs, jewelry, ribbons, expensive dress-fab-
8*
90 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
rics, tSrc, called forth rapturous expressions of ap-
proval and enjoyment.
One man followed me over a mile to feast his eyes
upon a new pair of doeskin pants, wiiich had just ar-
rived from Boston. He asked if he might feel of
them, and rubbed his great hand over the nap as rev-
erently as though it were sacred.
" Baltimore cloth ? " he asked.
" No ; Boston cloth, Yankee cloth : nothing in Bal-
timore like it."
He looked disappointed. Baltimore was evidently
his " hub ; " Boston was mine. Seeing he was breaking
the tenth commandment in a marked and perceptible
manner, I left him.
While in Lower Maryland, the regiment visited sev-
eral places, such as Bristol, Smithville, Nottingham,
Friendship, Lower Marlborough, and Prince Frederick-
town, finding sabres, swords, revolvers, muskets, rifles,
uniforms, and one rebel flag.
All these things had been carefully concealed by
their owners ; and in one instance two boxes were
dug up from graves said to contain the remains of sol-
diers shot in the battle of Bull Run. The searchers
after this contraband property were obliged to rely
mainly upon information derived from negroes. They
had observed where every thing was hidden away or
buried in the ground by their masters, and it did not
require much coaxing to induce them to point out the
localities.
They greeted our coming among them with almost
unconcealed delight, and were of the greatest possible
service in affording information as to roads, the names
and character of residents in the county, and the-
BARBARISM OF SLAVERY. 91
measures that had been taken, previous to our arrival,
to recruit a company of cavahy and another of infantry
from the neighborhood. At the same time they caused
us no shght embarrassment ; for several of them, hav-
ing improved the opportunity of our presence to steal
away from their old plantation homesteads, and join their
fortunes with ours, they were followed by their former
masters ; and as public opinion had not advanced then
to where it stood subsequently, after some dodghig,
chasing, and shifting they were given up, and carried
home again. One man came into the camp at
Lower Marlborough, having on his neck an iron yoke
with prongs a foot in length, and weighing five or eight
pounds. It was filed off by the men, and sent North
as- a relic of the barbarism of slavery. The slave
hoped to remain among us and be free ; but his master,
professing to be a good Union man, armed with a Uni-
ted-States warrant, and accompanied by the provost-
marshal of the district, arrived, and we were obliged
to give him up.
After a furious rain in the night, near Lower Marl-
borough, during which the men were lying on top of a
hill, with neither trees, houses, nor barns in the vicin-
ity for shelter, so that they became dripping wet, and
the water stood in puddles, or ran in streams under
them, some efforts were made to obtain their tents ; and
one morning they were all packed, and transported
nearly to the camping-ground. But they were ordered
back again, and in the woods shanties were constructed
of boughs and bark instead.
Great ingenuity was displayed in the erection of
these frail habitations ; and, as they frequently caught
fire and went oif almost like a flash of gunpowder,
92 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
they afforded to occupants and observers constant
sport and excitement. The cry of "Fire" rang
through the woods nearly every day or night ; and, in
mimic imitation of a fire at home, the various city
engines would be called out, and told to " play away "
or " hold on," while the " unfortunate families,"
burned out of house and home, were provided with
temporary accommodations elsewhere.
Prince Fredericktown, situated on Parker's Creek,
which flows into Chesapeake Bay, proved to be the
southernmost limit of the regiment's researches. Tliis
place is a post-village of about six hundred inhabi-
tants, the capital of Calvert County, forty-six miles
from Annapolis, and contains, besides several stores,
a court house, jail, and church. It had been in open
revolt against the authority of tlie United States, was
the headquarters of a force of cavalry and infantry
recruited for the rebel army, and had allowed the
stars and bars to float above the Court House in place
of the true flag.
The principal inhabitants, feeling guilty, no doubt,
and fearing what miglit be the consequences of their
misdeeds, had taken themselves off previous to our ar-
rival. In course of a day or two, some of them began
to return, seeming astonished and delighted to find
that their habitations had not been destroyed nor their
friends molested. Emboldened by such clemency, they
entered into conversation with the soldiers, and in a
short time were on most amicable terms. One declared
that he should like to stay a week with us, to talk and
hear the music. Another humorously said he wished
we would go soon, for he could not get away from us
to do his own work. For some time it was impossible
THE RAMROD GUARDS. 93
to find the secession flag. It had been ascertained
that it was hauled down at our approach, and con-
cealed in a certain field ; and at last one of the compa-
nies, by thrusting down their ramrods wherever the
earth had been freshly disturbed, discovered its hiding-
place, and brought it forth to the light. This company
was afterwards known as tlie Ramrod Guards.
In this vicinity, nearly a wagon-load of mviskets,
sabres, revolvers, uniforms, <fec., were found stowed
away under haystacks, hidden in closets, between
floors, in cellars and garrets, and buried under ground.
Two Union prisoners were also released, and a rebel
jailer shut up in one of his own cells. Our band was
very popular, and all classes flocked to hear the music.
At dress-parade and guard-mounting, they gathered
about the regiment, and obtained, undoubtedly, new
ideas of Yankee drill and discipline thereby. As
there were Union people in the place, they were made
the objects of especial attention. The band honored
them with serenades, and they were invited to visit
the camp. Several gentlemen called, and expressed
themselves favorably regarding the appearance and
conduct of the men.
Greatly in contrast was the course of a notoriously
proslavery sheet published in the neighborhood, which
did not hesitate to put in circulation the most outra-
geous lies concerning the troops, warning colored peo-
ple in one article to beware of the Union soldiers, as
they already had shot one poor African, and literally
cut another in two ; and contemptuously remarking in
another issue, that the United-States Government were
certainly engaged in a creditable undertaking, sending
a large body of armed men to take from an inoffensive
94 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS liEGUIENT.
community a few cross-bows and pop-guns. It was
plain enough where tlie editor's sympathies lay, and
that lie only spoke out what his patrons inwardly ap-
proved, but had the art or good sense to conceal.
A serious accident happened at this time to William
Holmes, of Company E, by which he became crippled
for life. He was standing in front of a house, talking
with the owner, having his hand over the muzzle of his
gun, when he attempted to get something off the ham-
mer, having previously removed the cap ; but some of
the percussion-powder remained, and, when the ham-
mer came down, it ignited the charge, sending both
tompion and ball through his hands.
He was carried at once to the hospital, and every
exertion made to save his hands, but in vain ; one was
amputated close by the wrist, and he was discharged
the service.
Monday, Oct. 7, nothing remaining to be done in
Lower Maryland, the regiment was ordered to report
at Camp Union, where they arrived about noon, having
been absent just twenty-eight days, travelled two hun-
dred and seventy-two miles, and thoroughly accom-
plished the object for which they set out.
Thursday, the 26th of September, which was Na-
tional Fast Day, by command of Gen. Hooker, services
were held in the brigade, at which nearly three thou-
sand men assembled. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.
Parker of the New-Hampshire Second, the hymns read
by Rev. Mr. Beck of the Pennsylvania Twenty-sixth,
the Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Watson of the Massa-
chusetts Eleventh, and the discourse delivered by the
chaplain of the Massachusetts First. Gen. McClcllan
having decided to arrange the Army of the Potomac
PROMOTION h. 95
in separate columns or divisions, forming, as it were, so
many separate armies, and necessitating the appoint-
ment of a major-general for each division, the Excel-
sior brigade, New-Jersey brigade, and our own brigade,
were made into a division. Gen. Hooker was commis-
sioned major-general, and given the command ; and
Col. Cowdin, as senior colonel, was placed in com-
mand of the first brigade.
On the evening of Oct. 14, after dress-parade, the
orders detaching him from the regiment were read,
and he made a brief parting address to the men. They
were not a little affected by his words, and he carried
their best wishes with him into his new and important
position. Adjutant Johnson became his adjutant-gen-
eral and chief of staff. Lieut.-Col. Wells took com-
mand of the regiment, and Lieut. Joseph Hibbert,
jun.,was made adjutant.
CHAPTER lY.
CAMP HOOKER. BUDD'S FERRY.
Southward lio ! How the grand old war-cry-
Thunders over our land to-day !
Rolling down from the Eastern mountain,
Dying into the West away.
Southward ho ! Bear on the watchword !
Onward march as in ancient days,
Till over the traitor's fallen fortress
The stripes shall stream, and the stars shall blaze !
By the ruddy light of our camp-fires bright.
Which blazed in the trench before us.
We sat and sang till the wild woods rang
With the echo of our chorus.
Beyond the stream, we could see the gleam
Of the fires that the foe had lighted;
And here and there in the flickering glare,
Their forms we dimly sighted." — Anon.
DURING the fall of 1861, it became desirable to
the rebels to cut off Wasliingtoii from water
commuuicatioii with Chesapeake Bay and the seaboard
generally ; and for that purpose several batteries were
erected along the southern bank of the Potomac^ in the
vicinity of Dumfries and Aquia Creek, which fired on
every passing vessel, making the navigation of the
river seem to be extremely hazardous, if not impossible.
They had also seized upon and armed a small trans-
BUDD'S FESRY. 97
port steamer called the " George Pago," which was
located behind a point of land in Quantico Creek ; and
it was feared they might endeavor to establish them-
selves on both sides the river. To anticipate this,
Gen. Hooker's division was ordered to occupy the op-
posite bank.
On the 24th of October, therefore, the regiment broke
camp at Bladensburg, having been there and in Lower
Maryland seventy-two days, and commenced the march
towards Budd's Ferry. The first night they encamped
directly opposite Alexandria, having marched about
twelve miles during the day. The second day they
proceeded as far as Piscataqua, a small village about
twenty-two miles below Washington. It having been
ascertained that the steamboat " Page" was getting trou-
blesome, and troops were needed to watch her move-
ments, on the next day the regiment was pushed
through to Posey's Plantation, directly opposite Quan-
tico Creek, — a distance of twenty-three miles. It was
an excessively hard march, as the roads were muddy in
places, and the men were loaded down with their knap-
sacks. They arrived about eight o'clock in the evening
of Saturday the 26th, and at once threw themselves down
behind their stacks, where they slept soundly all night.
C The country from Washington down was pleasant,
yet uninviting. It was heavily wooded, well watered,
and fertile ; but everywhere were evident the traces
of the peculiar institution, whose bane and blight
rested alike upon soil and people. The roads were
hilly, stony, sandy, muddy, stumpy, and good, by
turns, the good by no means predominating ; the fences,
barns, and most of the houses, rude and primitive, and
the people unenlightened and semi-disloyal. (
9 ^
98 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Besides Gen. Hooker's division, one regiment of
cavalry and three batteries of artillery were quartered
in the vicinity, making over ten thousand men, who
occupied ten ditforent camps, scattered all along the
road from Port Tobacco, which is opposite Aquia Creek,
to within about twenty-five miles of Washington. The
camps were located from two to six miles apart, having
pickets out, which communicated readily from camp to
camp ; and the whole force could have been concen-
trated on any one point much sooner than the rebels
could have crossed the river, had they been inclined
to undertake it.
The rebels had thrown up earthworks on Shipping
Point, Cockpit Point, and along the right bank of
the river fronting Evansport, upon which were mounted
heavy guns, one being a superb English Blakely rifled
piece, throwing an elongated shell weighing one hun-
dred and twenty pounds. High hills on the Maryland
side afforded the troops an excellent observatory where-
from to watch the firing ; and, as the rebels seemed to
have plenty of powder and ball to expend, twenty-four
hours seldom passed but they afforded observers an op-
portunity to see what miserable marksmen they were.
Tlie blockade continued nearly five months, and in
all that time not half a dozen vessels were struck, al-
though, when the wind was favorable, they passed
daily. The pickets along the river bank, and upon a
point of land beyond the Chickamoxen Creek, called
Stump Neck, were much exposed ; but in various ways
they managed to sliield themselves from the enemy's
fire, so that only one was injured during the whole
period of our stay, and he not seriously.
Before the regiment had left Bladensburg, a call was
THE CUMSTON CHAPEL TENT. 99
1
l^^iade for a chapel tent large enougli to shelter wor-
^Rhippers during the Sabbath or evening services.
\^ The call was responded to by William Ciimston,
Esq., of the firm of Hallet & Ciimston, pianoforte
makers, Boston, who forwarded a capacious tent, fur-
nished at his own cost, which was dedicated, and
named, in honor of his liberality, the " Cumston
Tent."
The division had been encamped but a short time,
before telegraphic communication was establislied with
army headquarters, and a balloon sent up, under the
supervision of Prof. Lowe, to take aerial surveys of
the rebel position. The telegrapli was constructed
within a week after our settlement at Budd's Ferry,
reaching to the headquarters of Gen. Hooker, and
bringing him into communication witli Gen. McClellan
as near as though they were seated side by side. Thus
the one mind that then commanded the armies of the
Union flashed instantaneously north-west and south-
east along a line of battle seventy miles in extent, and
controlled the movements of over two hundred thou-
sand men as easily as a lady directs her servant about
matters in the same house or room.
The balloon was one of the largest size, with a hand-
somely-painted portrait of Washington on the side,
and capable of taking up two or three men at once.
It was kept constantly filled, and, when raised a thou-
sand feet or so, gave the aeronaut an uninterrupted
survey of the enemy's positions, batteries, regiments,
motions, forces, and, in fine, every thing a commander
desired to know. Powerful glasses were taken up
with the balloon, which showed the style of fortifica-
I
100 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
tions, tlie caliber of guns, and the locality of camps
four and five miles off.
Quite a respectable flotilla of open row-boats was
accumulated by the men soon after their arrival, one of
which would accommodate thirty mdividuals. Rowing
on the river was rather risky, especially if the boat
was laden, for the enemy, needing practice, always im-
proved such an opportunity to obtain it. Their solid
shot and shells went over, under, and on either side of,
our brave boys repeatedly, but none ever struck them.
Thursday afternoon, the 14th of November, a dar-
ing attempt was made by the rebels to burn a wood
schooner which had just come down from-Washington,
and lay anchored about half a mile from the Maryland
shore, without crew.
About fifteen of the enemy came off, imder cover of
their l^atteries, in a large boat, from the Virginia bank ;
and as many more followed in another. Immediately
our entire brigade was in commotion, the assembly was
beaten, two pieces of cannon started off, a cavalry
troop, several companies, and various individuals con-
nected with the army, rushed for the river side, and
parts of several companies of the Massachusetts First
embarked in their flotilla, and rowed for the rebels.
It was a most exciting chase. The batteries on the
Virginia shore thundered defiance to our eager forces,
and sent shot and shell after and among our boats.
The rebels had so much the start, that they reached
the scliooner first, however, set her on fire, and dashed
off before our men came up ; but the fire was speedily
extinguislied when tliey arrived, and our guns, now on
the bank, at once silenced those of the other side. It
was an act full of Southern dash, but all ended in
FIRE IN THE CAMP. 101
smoke, and probably taught the foe that two could play
at any game they might start.
Friday, the 15tli, at night, one whole company were
rendered houseless by their frail shanty's taking fire
from a stove-pipe. It was constructed of boughs, rails,
and poles, thatched with straw, and as combustible as
shavings. Nearly everybody was asleep when it caught j
so that a few seconds elapsed before any attempt was
made for its extinguishment, and then it was altogether
too late. Indeed, so rapid was the conflagration, that
several soldiers lost their guns and knapsacks. In five
minutes, nothing remained of their former tenement
but a few rails, embers, and ashes ; and seventy men
were turned out of their warm nests into the wet and
cold. The usual fire and steam engines were present,
of course (about every number in Boston, Roxbury,
Charlestown, and Chelsea being represented), and the
usual extras were issued containing a list of those
burned to death, &c. ; but nobody was hurt or singed,
and, after a good laugh all round, the houseless un-
fortunates crept in here and there, leaving sleep once
more supreme.
During the quiet moonlight nights, or when the air
was calm and the wind favorable, hi the daytime, the
pickets on either side of the river would occasionally
beguile the time by banter and mockery. The rebels
were very fond of asking, " How's Bull Hun ? " or
" How's Ball's Bluff? " To which our men would
respond, '' How's Laurel Hill ? " " How's Rich Moun-
tain ? " or " How's Fort Hatteras ? " As the conver-
sation grew more animated, it became less choice, and
generally ended by one party's telling the other to go
to — — a certain hot place where the society is not
9*
1U2 THE FIBST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
very choice, and the sensations of its occupants reputed
to be far from agreeable.
Two expeditions were formed while the regiment
was stationed at Budd's Ferry, — one composed mainly
of soldiers from the Eleventh Regiment under the
command of Lieut.-Col. Tileston, and another under
Capt. George H. Smith, of Company B, of the First
Regiment, — to cut out a vessel down the Potomac
River, loaded with articles contraband of war. Both
expeditions turned out successfully, resulting in no
loss of life or limb.
As soon as the troops were established upon the
river bank, a small battery, mounting two rifled Par-
rott guns, was erected close by the house formerly oc-
cupied by Mrs. Budd, whose family had once controlled
the ferry plying between this place and Evansport.
Whenever the rebel batteries would open upon any
passing vessel, these two guns would open upon them,
and, thus partially or wholly diverting their fire, cause
quite a lively artillery duel, which sometimes lasted
for hours. Tlio " George Page " was also struck by
our gunners, and on this account anchored oiit of
sight, behind a projecting bank.
For several weeks previous to the setting-in of win-
ter weather, rumors had been rife that our division was
liable to Ijc ordered to Charleston, or somewhere else
farther south ; and on this account the troops delayed
preparing their winter-quarters at Budd's Ferry. But
as tlie days grew shorter, and the weather wet, or cold
and blustering, tlie necessity of more thorough protec-
tion was felt, aiul preparations made accordingly.
Long log-huts were put up by tlie companies, which
were uniform, spacious, comfortable, and the best
THANKSGIVING DAY IN CAMP. 103
quarters they ever had, excepting those at Camp Cam-
eron. Smaller structures were erected for the officers ;
and all of these, being furnished with large open fire-
places, and plentifully plastered with the adhesive
mud, were made warm, snug, and cosey enough for
anybody's lodging-place. The camp at Budd's Ferry
had been named, in honor of our major-general,
'' Camp Hooker."
Thanksgiving Day was not allowed to pass without
due recognition and observance. The following gene-
ral order, by Lieut.-Col. Wells, is inserted as a me-
mento of that excellent officer, who, after serving as
colonel of the Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment,
and receiving the commission of brigadier-general, for
gallantry in action, lost his life at the battle of Cedar
Creek, in the Yalley of the Shenandoah : —
" Headquarters First Regiment Mass. Volunteers, )
" Camp Hooker, Nov. 20, 1861. j
" General Orders^ No. —
"The twenty-first day of November is set apart by
the Governor of Massachusetts as a day of public
thanksgiving and praise. By a special order, he asks
our participation in this time-honored festival. Those
who have looked death in the face, and have not felt
his sting, may well unite their voices with those of the
loved ones at home. It is fitting that the Potomac
should vibrate with the same feeling which quivers on
the Connecticut and Merrimac, and along the Old Bay
shore. To-morrow will be observed as a day of thanks-
giving and praise. The general orders of the day will
be suspended, and the following substituted : —
" While the day is to be one of thanksgiving and en-
joyment, the lieutenant-colonel commanding believes
104 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
tliat he may trust his command that no instance of ex-
cess or improper conduct mars the day. Remember
tliat one man may tarnish the character of a company
or regiment ; one indiscretion make the occasion one
not of pride, but of mortification and regret."
Wednesday morning, the 20th of November, brought
with it to camp most welcome visitors, in the persons
of Mayor Fay, Rev. Mr. Mason, Messrs. Sawyer and
Jones, from Chelsea, with all sorts of Thanksgiving
comforts for the company recruited from that place.
Their thoughtful and opportune generosity was most
gratefully appreciated.
Thursday was one of the finest days of the season.
At half-past ten, the line was formed, every man of the
regiment, except the sick ones, behig in place ; and,
after the religious services, Rev. Mr. Mason was first
called upon, who assured the regiment that they had
not been forgotten, nor would be, by friends at home ;
that hardly a Thanksgiving sermon would be preached,
or dinner eaten, where they would not be remembered
and spoken of. Mayor Fay followed with a brief ex-
pression of his interest in the entire regiment, espe-
cially the company (H) whose homes and friends were
in Chelsea. Col. Cowdin succeeded Mayor Fay, and
in one of his fervent, characteristic speeches, wound
the men up to such a pitch of patriotic enthusiasm,
that they gave him three hearty cheers.
Col. Wells concluded with a few pertinent reflec-
tions, freighted with feeling so tender and remeuT-
l)rances so moving, that tears flowed down more than
one bearded cheek.
After the speaking came an unexpected mail, and a
THANKSGIVING DAY IN CAMP. 105
large number of boxes by express from private hands,
among them one from the East-Boston Unitarian
Society, containing nearly an hundred dollars' worth
of stockings, suspenders, towels, mittens, &c., much
needed and most acceptable. They were eagerly ap-
propriated, and did great good. Some fun preceded
dinner, during which a couple of greased pigs were
the principal suiferers ; and then the great meal of the
year was participated in by the different companies
with a gusto heightened by the novelty of its serving-
up, and very few were the Massachusetts tables spread
with food greater in abundance or variety.
The line officers, — captains and lieutenants in com-
panies, — gave a fine entertainment to Major-Gen.
Hooker, acting Brig.-Gen. Cowdin, Col. Wells, and their
staffs, in the evening. After the viands had been dis-
posed of, speeches, full of patriotic allusions to Massa-
chusetts, and devoted loyalty to the Union cause, were
made by various members of the party, in which loved
ones ai home were not forgotten ; and, about eight
o'clock, the pleasant entertainment came to an end.
While in camp at Budd's Ferry, not only were the
physical and spiritual wants of the command carefully
attended to, but their moral and intellectual ones also.
As intemperance is a vice to which armies are pecu-
liarly exposed, before the regiment had been settled a
month at Camp Hooker, a temperance society was
formed, and named, in honor of its former colonel,
who was a firm, devoted friend of the temperance
cause, and between whose lips, amid all the tempta-
tions of military experience, never passed a drop of
intoxicating liquor, " The Cowdin Temperance Socie-
ty." Sergeant Frederic E. Dolbeare, Company A, was
106 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
chosen president; Sergeant William Gibson, Company
A, vice-president ; Private L. Edward Jenkins, Com-
pany B, secretary ; and one man selected from each
company to canvass the regiment, and ascertain the
exact position and feelings of every man in relation
to the temperance cause. Lectures, recitations, ad-
dresses, debates, and music constituted the leading
features of the meetings, which were held once a
week. The pledge was as follows : —
" We do solemnly swear that we will neither make,
buy, sell, nor use as a beverage, any alcoholic or malt
liquors, wine, or cider." Before the camp was broken
up in April, 1862, nearly two hundred men had en-
rolled themselves members of this society ; and fully
one-third of tlic regiment were strictly total abstinence
men.
A society for intellectual improvement, named, in
honor of Hon. Frank B. Fay, the Mayor of Chelsea,
Mass., and one of the most generous, devoted, and
self-sacrificing friends to the soldier the war has pro-
duced, " Tlie Fay Literary Listitute," was also es-
tablished, holding its meetings weekly. Corporal
Joseph T. Wilson, Company B, was chosen president,
with ten vice-presidents, one from each company ;
John A. Beyer, Company B, secretary ; Hiram A.
Wright, Company D, treasurer; and a standing com-
mittee of five to regulate proceedings, and furnish
entertainments. The exercises consisted of lectures,
addresses, debates, concerts, dialogues, and recitations,
and were always largely attended, sometimes crowded.
Under the management of the Listitute was a well-
selected miscellaneous library, principally collected
and forwarded to Budd's Ferry through the exertions
THE CHURCH OF THE FIRST REGIMENT. 107
of James M. Barnard, Esq., of Boston, a gentleman
signally devoted to the Union cause and the welfare
of its brave defenders, then and ever since. A chess
club, called ''The Massachusetts First Chess Club,"
was also formed, of which William Emerson, Com-
pany A, was president; E. G. Tutein, Company H,
vice-president ; and J. A. Lakin, Company E, secretary.
Their meetings for chess and other games were held
once a week.
In order that professed followers of the Lord Jesus
Christ miglit have the privilege of meeting around
his table at least once a month, a church was likewise
formed, and called " The Church of the First Regi-
ment." It was anticipated that there might be some
difficulty in framing a " Confession of Faith " and
" Covenant," in which all denominations would coin-
cide ; but the following were adopted with entire una-
nimity : and from twenty to thirty members of at least
ten different sects of Christians met and communed
together repeatedly, in the most cordial and brotherly
manner.
"• Confession of Faith. — You believe in God, as
the Creator of all things, to whom you are responsible
for all the deeds done in the body.
" You believe in Jesus Clirist, as the only-begotten
of the Father, in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the
Godhead bodily.
" You believe in the Holy Spirit, as the Enlightener,
Regenerator, and Sanctifier of his people.
'' You believe in the immortality of the soul, in the
resurrection of the body, and in future rewards and
punishments."
108 THE FIEST MASSACHUSETTS BEGIMENT.
" Covenant. — You now solemnly covenant, in the
presence of God and these your fellow-soldiers, that
you will endeavor, by the help of grace, to walk in all
the ordinances of the gospel blameless, adorning your
Christian profession by a holy life and a godly conver-
sation."
A brigade hospital having become essential for the
treatment of those too seriously indisposed to remain
at either of the regimental hospitals, one was estab-
lished in the Dunnington House, included within the
limits of Camp Hooker, and placed under the charge
of Dr. John Foye, assistant surgeon of the Massachu-
setts Eleventh.
Runaway slaves often found their way into the
camp ; and the following story of one, taken down by
Dr. Richard H. Salter, the surgeon of the regiment,
affords an illustration of how they fared in Maryland,
and how they felt about it.
The man said he was fifty-seven years old, that he
was still a slave, but had left his master, who resided
somewhere in Maryland, about five months before, and
that he greatly preferred the freedom he now enjoyed
to his former bondage. His master had been very un-
just and unkind in liis treatment of him and his family,
he thought ; that he liad a wife, who had blessed him with
fifteen children, twelve of whom were still living; and '
that liis present master was not his first and original
one, but that his family had been scattered about
among various masters, who had bought his children
as inclination or necessity prompted, and carried them
off to various i)arts of the State. He thought it w^as
very hard that his children should be sold separately
UNFEELING SLAVE-OWNER. 109
and torn from him, but harder than all that his pres-
ent master should have parted him from his wife and
the three youngest children, only three, five, and seven
years old.
He stated that his wife had formerly been in a
feeble state of health ; and that his master, who then
owned him, her, and the three remaining children, be-
ing too close or heartless to procure medical aid for
her benefit, and fearing she would die on his hands,
and cause a dead loss, had resolved to sell her. She
was an excellent /«oz/5e-hand, he said, could sew, knit,
mend, wash, bake, and do any kind of house-s^ovk ; but
his master wanted aj^e/G?-hand, so they were separated ;
and she with her children were taken off seventeen
miles, to within three or four miles of Fort Washing-
ton, on the Potomac. He further stated that her pres-
ent master was very kind to her, employed the best of
medical attendance, and she had become able to do
" j^e/<i-work " with others. He was allowed by his
present master to visit her but once a month, and then
must go on foot after work was over Saturday night,
and return before it commenced Monday morning.
His master owned several horses, standing idle in
the stable, but he was never allowed to use one for
himself ; and sometimes the weather or roads were so
bad, that he could not reach his wife till daylight Sun-
day morning, and then had to leave her at sundown
Sunday night. She was always up waiting for him,
when he came, however ; and many were the tears they
shed, the poor fellow stated, when they had to part so
soon again. During the other Sabbaths of the month,
he was not allowed the day, as most other slaves are,
but had to work.
10
no THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS BEGIMENT.
He said that, on several occasions, when about to
start off to see his wife, his master would say, " Well,
George,! suppose your wife '11 die soon ; then you can
get another in our immediate neighborhood, and thus
be saved those long tramps you take now, as well as
visit your new wife oftener." — " Think of it, doctor,"
he said, " that the man could be so cruel. What a
heart he must suppose me to have, that I could be
glad to lose my wife, who had borne me fifteen chil-
dren, and whom I loved with my whole heart; to
have her die, that I might marry again, because it
would be more convenient to have another wife near
at hand ! What an idea, that I could, in a moment, put
away all my affection for my wife, or give it to another
with the same indifference that he could sell her and
her children I
'' 0, doctor I if you knew all the hardships of us poor
colored people, you would pity us indeed. And now, if
I could only have my wife and children, and we be
clear of our masters, I should be a happy man again.
Can't you," he said, — " can't you help me ? If a few
of yonr soldiers could go with me and help me some
dark night, I could direct them to the very room in
which my wife sleeps. When night comes, I can't sit
down as you gentlemen can, and read; but my mind
goes off to my wife and children, and I drop many a
tear on their account."
The man remained with us nearly a year, and finally
betook himself to Alexandria, Va., where he was joined
by his wife, and set up housekeeping on his own ac-
count.
Along the rebel lines, where it was possible for our
roops to visit, both in Maryland and Virginia, was
BEREAVED SOUTHERN LADIES. Ill
found an incomprehensible number of widows ; and the
following conversation with Widow Baron will serve as
a specimen of frequent talks held bj our soldiers with
females in a like situation : —
'' Good-morning, ma'am I "
" Good-morning ! "
" Who lives in this house ? "
"I do."
" What may be your name ? "
" They call me the Widow Baron."
" Oh ! you're a widow ; good many widows round
here ? "
"Yes."
" U^ed to be very sickly, I suppose."
"No — yes : I suppose it was."
" Where are the men who used to be about here ? "
*' Gone away" (after some hesitation).
" Are they in the rebel army ? "
" Some of them are, perhaps " (after more hesita-
tion) .
" Good many of them been killed, I suppose ? "
" Don't know."
" How long has your husband been dead ? "
" Can't say exactly."
" Didn't he die at home ? "
" No : he went away."
" How long has he been gone ? "
" Can't say ; ever since the war broke out."
" Where did he go ? "
" Towards Richmond."
" Oh ! he joined the rebel army ? "
" No : they took him off against his will."
" Has he ever written to you ? "
112 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
" Xo : can't get any letters through the lines."
" How do you know he's dead ? "
" That's what they say."
'' But you're not sure of it ? "
" No : nor any of them, except here and there one."
Not a little sympathy was awakened at first for this
large class of afflicted women with which the country
seemed to abound ; but speedily it became known that ji
their widowhood was, in most cases, assumed, to enlist |
feeling in their favor, prevent the appropriation of their ;
property, and other interference with their affairs liable |
to occur during war times. ;
Early in December, a deserter came over from the '\
enemy, who stated that there were, within a few miles of
us, on the opposite bank, some twenty-five thousand I
men, constituthig the rebel right wing; that they were
well fed, tolerably well clothed, poorly paid, but, as a
whole, determined to sell their lives as dearly as possible,
and were supplied with the Northern newspapers regu-
larly from some source. Most Marylanders, he said,
were heartily sick of the struggle, and would follow
him if they could ; but that the others had a contemp-
tuous opinion of Yankee valor, and were longing for
a fight to prove their own superiority. He gave readily
all the information he possessed concerning the loca-
tion of regiments and brigades on the other side, the
number and strength of fortifications, the condition of '
the roads, lay of the country, &c. ; and really seemed
glad to have done with the rebel cause forever. Most
of the rebel rank and file were men of little or no in-
formation, of vicious propensities, and of immoral
lives ; but the officers were gentlemen.
A gunboat attack was made on Monday, Dec. 9,
GUNBOAT ATTACK ON A REBEL CAMP. 113
upon a camp near some storehouses at Freestone
Point, nearly opposite Camp Hooker. Two gunboats
came down from the flotilla in reserve near Washing-
ton, and, standing off about a mile from the shore, be-
gan to throw shells into and near the woods. As they
fired, the boats approached nearer the bank, and the
rebels fled in the utmost confusion.
The shells apparently did great execution, and the
reverberation of the pieces was like the roll and crash
of the loudest thunder. A party landed from one of
the gunboats, who set fire to the rebel storehouses, and
burned them to the ground, contents and all. They
took one wounded rebel prisoner, and saw two lying
dead in the woods. How many more suffered is left
to conjecture entirely, as but a short stop was made.
The flotilla of gunboats, — which had been lying idle
just below Alexandria for three months, allowing the
rebels to fire upon oyster vessels, wood craft, and pro-
vision transports with impunity, during all that time, —
had received a new commander, who was determined
to give the enemy shot for shot, and, if possible, silence
their batteries along shore altogether.
On Sunday morning, Dec. 15, Aurelius Gray, of
Company D, died in the brigade hospital, after three
days' sickness. He was a great favorite in the compa-
ny to which he belonged, and his body was by them
sent North for interment. It may be supposed by
some that war so blunts the better feelings, that sol-
diers become comparatively indifferent to the death of
their comrades. To correct this impression, copies
of resolutions passed concerning the death of Gray
are hereto subjoined.
10*
114 THE FIIiST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE REGIMENT.
Wliereas, in the providence of God, our friend and
fellow-soldier, Aurelius Gray, has been removed by
death from our midst ; and
Wliereas it seems eminently proper and appropriate
that those who have been associated with him in the
army should bear some public testimony to his excel-
lence as a man, as well as his fidelity as a soldier :
therefore,
Resolved, That we deeply regret his departure from
our ranks in the flower of his strength and vigor of
his early manhood.
Resolved, That we bear testimony to his many vir-
tues of heart and life, endearing him not only to the
members of his own company, but also to all who
knew him in the regiment, and making his memory
precious to his companions-in-arms of every rank.
Resolved, That in devout submission to the will of
God, who gave and who hath taken away, we can repeat
the pious ejaculation, "Blessed be his holy name!"
and sincerely hope that all may be as well prepared
for an exchange of worlds as he was.
Resolved, That we tender to his relatives and
friends our heartfelt sympathy in the bereavement
which they have experienced, and assure them that he
was in every way worthy of their best affection.
Resolved, That we who remain to carry on the con-
test from whose toils and sufferings he has been for-
ever released, will cherish the recollection of his manly
patriotism, and emulate the noble qualities which at
tracted around him so many strongly-attached friends.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be for-
RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY COMPANY D. 115
warded to the friends of the deceased, and to the
" Boston Traveller " and " Norfolk-County Journal "
for publication.
JOSEPH T. WILSON, Chairman,
Camp Hooker, Dec. 17, 1861.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE COMPANY.
Whereas it has pleased our common Creator to re-
move from us our brother-in-arms, Aurelius Gray:
therefore,
Resolved, That, in this dispensation, we recognize
the hand of an all-wise Providence, and bow with
humble submission to the will of Almiglity God.
Resolved, That in him the service has lost a brave
and faithful soldier, and his companions a kind and
genial comrade ; and although he did not die as a sol-
dier would wish, on the field of battle, he has shown
himself as brave before the enemy as he was frank and
constant among his friends.
Resolved, That we sincerely sympathize with the
family and friends of the deceased in their hour of af-
fliction, and trust that this dispensation, though seem-
ingly severe, may be sanctified, through the grace of
God, to the spiritual good of all who mourn his loss.
Resolved, That a copy of the above resolutions be
forwarded to the friends of the deceased, and that
they be printed in the " Boston Traveller " and
" Roxbury City Gazette." Signed
C. A. BRAZER,
For the Committee.
An occurrence took place at this time which showed
that the rebels were still kept familiar with every
thing that transpired among the Union troops.
A couple of men, with some drummer-boys, were out
116 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
in a boat on the Potomac ; and a sudden squall coming
up drove them, the tide also being against them,
over to the Virginia shore, and they were taken pris-
oners by the rebels. They were carried through the
hostile camps to the cars, and thence transported to
Richmond. Arrived there, the whole party were
lodged in jail. The boys were soon released, and, be-
fore being discharged, questioned closely as to the
number, condition, and supplies of our men. They
purposely overstated every thing, but found that their
questioners knew more about it than they did ; not
only where our forces were, but how numerous they
were, who commanded them, and how they were
clothed and fed. This was aggravating enough, but
not half so much so as to have their pickets shout
over the river our countersign for the night, before it
had been given out to our own sentinels on guard ;
which was done several times.
Close by Camp Hooker was the New- York Fourth
Light Artillery. One of its members gave an evidence
of patriotism not often equalled. He was a clergyman
from Upper Michigan, and enlisted with the under-
standing that he should have some sort of a profes-
sional position. Upon arriving at Washington, he
found that there was no such position for him, and
that he had been imposed upon ; but he did not back
out. The place of blacksmith was vacant in the bat-
tery, and he took that, serving in it faithfully until
disability compelled his discharge.
Among the rations furnished by Government are
hard-crackers, or hard-bread, called by the soldiers
" hard-tack." When in good condition, and made in
a proper manner, it is a palatable and nutritious kind
FIRE IN A TENT OF COMPANY F. H"
of food ; but it was so often in a poor condition, and
made so carelessly, that the troops were willing to do
almost any thing to get better bread in its place ; and,
as it did not matter to the Government whether hard-
bread was supplied or flour equal in value to the same
amount, regimental bakeries were frequently estab-
lished, which produced soft bread equal to the best
found in the bake-shops of Boston. Additional to the
advantage of having a better article of food, was the
saving to the regiment of quite five hundred dollars a
month, which was called the bakery-fund, and could
be drawn from Government and appropriated to the
good of the companies.
A strong breeze on the Potomac, favorable for the
passage up or down of sailing-vessels, was sure to be
taken advantage of by two, three, or more venturesome
skippers, notwithstanding the thundering protests and
iron remonstrances of the rebel batteries. On these
occasions, the soldiers would gather along the hills to
witness the shots. One Sunday in December, while
they were thus engaged, one of the tents of Company
F took fire ; and every thing in it, being all the property
of eleven men, excepting what they had on, was totally
destroyed. Guns, knapsacks, belts, blankets, clothing,
keepsakes, and souvenirs, to the extent of four hun-
dred dollars in value, were reduced to ashes in less
than twenty minutes.
Christmas was not allowed to pass by in camp with-
out recognition and observance. Companies D and K
received from good friends in Roxbury a capital dinner
of turkeys, plum-puddings, mince-pies, jellies, sauces,
and fruits, which was keenly relished by the members,
and creditable alike to the generosity and enterprise of
118 THE FIBST MASSACHUSETTS REGUIENT.
the donors, as every thing was prepared in Roxbury,
and l^rought thence to the camp.
Friday, Dec. 27, an assault was made by the gun-
boats " Annacosta " and " Yankee " upon the rebels in-
trenched at Cockpit Point. Though windy and cold,
the air was remarkably clear, which enabled the gun-
ners on both sides to obtain great accuracy of aim.
Forty shots were fired from the boats in about one
hour ; and such was their effect, that the rebels returned
but four, one of which entered the " Yankee's " fore-
castle, tore away a knee from its fastenings, and did
other damage, so that the boat was obliged to haul off
for repairs. As it may be interesting to know how the
regiment was quartered during the winter of 1861
and 1862, the following account of their barracks is
submitted : —
They were built thus. A lot of men were first sent
into the woods to cut down the trees. They selected
the straightest, felled them, trimmed off the branches,
and laid them in piles for transportation to the camp.
Then came the wagons, or, in some instances, only the
forward wheels of a wagon, with a company of men to
act as horses ; and these logs were drawn to the site of
the house.
The exact dimensions were then staked out, a bed
dug for the foundation-logs all round ; and then the
rest placed one above another, the end of the lower
being notched to receive tliat just above it, till the
walls were comj)lete. Some of the roofs were made of
boards ; but tlic majority were poles covered with straw,
and that plastered with mud, or mud-plastered poles,
covered with tarred paper. The chinks between the
wall-logs were filled with mud, inside and out, which.
I
WINTER QUARTERS. 119
containing considerable clay, soon hardened so as to
become impervious to wind and rain.
The houses were seventy-two feet long and twenty
wide, containing four compartments each, with an
open space in the centre, and bunks for sleeping fitted
up round the sides, capable of accommodating twenty-
five men. Some had stoves, and others large open
fireplaces ; so that there was no lack of comfort to the
occupants, if they were inclined to take it.
The line officers had square log-huts of two tene-
ments each, one for the captain of a company, the
other for his two lieutenants, built just as the company
houses were, and roofed and warmed as variously ; the
roof having but one pitch, however, from the front to
the rear.
Inside you could see a bed, table, chair, or camp-stool,
boxes, shelves, swords, pistols, guns, &c.
The quarters for the field and staff were ten feet
square, with a ridge-pole and canvas roofing, con-
structed just as those described above, and furnished
inside according to the taste of the occupant. Some
were papered, others not; some contained a good deal,
others not much of any thing ; some looked cosey and
cheerful, others dreary and cheerless. Houses have
souls as well as people.
Only one accident occurred in the construction of
these forty habitations, by which two men of Company
A — E. D. Chamberlain and J. C. Singer — were slightly
injured. The company were drawing logs from the
woods, and, in coming down hill, they both got thrown
under the wheels. They were laid up little over a
week ; and their escape from serious injury was quite
remarkable.
120 THE FIBST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
About the 1st of January, 1862, several changes
were made in the regimental roster. Lieut. Albert S.
Austin, formerly quartermaster to the regiment, was pro-
moted to be commissary of subsistence for the division,
and attached to Gen. Hooker's staJBF. Lieut. William
P. Cowie, of Company F, was appointed quartermaster
in his place. Lieut. Charles S. Kendall, of Company
B, was promoted to the signal corps. Capt. Adams, of
Company F, Lieut. Jordan, of Company D, and J. W.
Hall, sergeant-major, were detached for recruiting
service ; and Lieut. William Sutherland appointed
temporarily to the command of Company F.
Sunday morning, Jan. 12, the steam-frigate " Pen-
sacola " ran the gauntlet of the rebel batteries on her
way from the Washington Navy Yard, where she had
been completely refitted, to Fortress Monroe. The rebels,
pre-advised of her coming, had thrown up several new
batteries, determined to give her a passing shot, or, if
possible, to sink her on the way down. It was an anxious
night in camp ; for we had seen the enemy digging day
after day on their earthworks, and heard reports of new
cannon being mounted, so that our solicitude and inter-
est increased constantly. Some of our men, too, had
brothers, relatives, or friends on board the ship ; and, a
week before she started, her trip down was the con-
stant topic of camp conversation. At last every thing
had l)ccn made ready, — engines, crew, stores, cargo on
board, all taut above, decks cleared for action below,
and a vessel with bundles of soaked hay, covered with
canvas, fastened to the side exposed to the rebel shot.
Various tugs and gunboats from the flotilla were to go
down with her; so that, should any thing serious occur,
they might be on hand with assistance.
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. 121
The rebels were up all night, and seemed to know as
well as we that their prey was about to pass the den
of the hunter. About five o'clock in the morning, she
started. With a full head of steam, going at the rate of
fifteen knots an hour, and in the midst of the darkness
of early morning, she approached the foe. Were they
asleep ? Were they deceived ? What was the matter ?
Only twenty-two shots, where fifty at least had been
expected ; and not one of them hitting the mark !
What did it mean ? So it was. The huge bulk of the
" Pensacola," crowded with men, and loaded with can-
non, shot, and other munitions of war, passed within half
a mile of guns which, it was said, would throw the fear-
ful sixty-four pound shell four miles, and was not hit
once. Nor did she fire a gun. The boats with her
replied a few times to the shore batteries ; but the prey
had escaped, and the hunters had labored for naught.
After this, however, occurred a good deal of spiteful
firing. Capt. Smith, of Company B, with his wife and
three or four men, went up the river in a little sail-boat ;
and they banged away at him as though determined, if
they could not bring down an eagle, they would, at
least, knock over a sparrow : and every little craft that
attemped to creep up or down the stream, they sent
their yelling shot after with a rage as futile as it was
amusing.
One night. Company C had pickets out on Stump
Neck, separated from the main shore by a creek then
frozen over. In the darkness, a boat, with muffled
oars, approached one of them; and, when he challenged
it, his answer was a volley of musketry, which sent the
balls whizzing about his head in the liveliest manner
conceivable. The fire was at once returned, and the-
11
12-2 THE FIIiST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
boat driven off; but the design undoubtedly was to
have surprised and captured these men, — a design
luckily foiled by their wakefulness and intrepidity.
One morning, a small oyster schooner was trying to
go up the stream, making very slow progress, as there
was very little wind. She became at once a target for
rebel practice. After firing many shots, the rebel
guns hit her once or twice, as she was nearly station-
ary ; and her crew cast anchor, and came ashore, wait-
ing for a breeze. At once, Capt. Chamberlain, of
Company K, with a boat's crew of brave fellows, went
out to tow her into the creek ; and his appearance was
the signal for renewed and angry firing. The water
was not deep enough for her, however, and the attempt
had to be abandoned, but not until the impotent firing
of the rebels, and the cool indifference of our men, had
been made equally apparent.
But the coolest thing was done by the skipper, or
pilot, of the " Mystic," which ran up one night to Wash-
ington to prepare for daily trips betwen the capital
and Mattawoman Creek. She was fired at eighty-
seven times ; and at nearly every shot the crew would
shout defiance to the rebel gunners, and jeer and laugh
at them for their wretched practice. Indeed, the en-
gine was stopped in front of the principal battery, and
the lead thrown as leisurely as though the craft was
picking her way among the Newfoundland shoals. The
trig little vessel was not once hit. No wonder such
repeated failures exasperated the rebels ! To us tliey
proved one gratifying thing at least : that they were no
gunners, and, in any tiling like a fair trial on the field,
would waste more powder and shot than they would
use to advantage.
FREQUENT ACTS OF DARING. 123
Acts of daring, liardlj mentioned outside of the
lines, were being constantly done by the soldiers during
this winter, which as it was their first, and devoid of
the stir of an active campaign, seemed otherwise dull
and tedious.
On Sunday, Jan. 19, the barge of the regiment
made an exceedingly risky trip up the river to the
landing at Mattawoman Creek, under command of
Lieut. William L. Candler, of Company A. It was
broad daylight. A number of large boxes were to be
carried to the steamboat landing, and, instead of hav-
ing them placed in wagons, they were loaded into this
barge by order of Col. Wells, and some twenty-five or
thirty men detailed to row her up the stream. With
these boxes and such a crew, she made a capital target ;
and soon the rebel batteries began their practice at it.
Above, below, this side, and that, the deadly missiles
struck, — at one time sending back from the bank sand
into the boat even, but no one was hit ; and steadily,
regularly the gallant fellows rowed up to their desti-
nation.
Such an act of cool intrepidity is far more worthy of
praise than the most daring deeds done in the heat
of battle, or under the stimulus of excitement and pas-
sion. To rush up to the cannon's mouth in a glow
of feverish enthusiasm shows bravery indeed ; but to
sit down to an oar in a crazy old boat, and keep calmly
at work, when cannon-balls and shrieking shells are
whizzing round, shows more. The rebels could be dis-
tinctly seen while trying to sink this barge ( they
always show themselves when there is no danger of
being hit by the enemy) ; and, after firing, tliey would
stand perfectly still, watching the flight of their shot.
124 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
and if it struck near the object aimed at, they would
leap and shout with joy.
A sad event occurred Friday, Jan. 31, by which Her-
bert S. Barlow instantly lost his life. The regiment was
just mustering for afternoon battalion drill; and, as
Company F stood waiting the order to form on the line,
some of the members began, in fun, to push this way
and that a little. One of the corporals was told spor-
tively that he would have to shoot some one, and
replying, "he guessed he should," or something to that
effect, he raised his gun, not dreaming it was loaded,
and snapped it (as is constantly done by the men in
sport) without any particular aim.
But, alas ! it had been loaded by some one else, with-
out his knowledge. It exploded. The ball struck poor
Barlow in the right breast, went through, or fatally
injured, the spinal column, and exclaiming only, " Oh,
oh ! " he sank down, and in ten minutes was a corpse.
Those who stood by were all horror-stricken, and
none more so than the corporal so unfortunate as to
fire the gun ; for Barlow was his best friend, and they
had but just come out of the same bunk, where, for an
hour previously, they had been lying side by side to-
gether. Willingly, joyfully, would he have lain down
his own life to bring back his friend's ; but it could not
be, and for hours he refused to be comforted.
Barlow was a young man of nineteen, the pet of his
company, and left a widowed mother in Brookline,
Mass., to mourn his untimely departure. The body was
embalmed and sent North.
It became absolutely indispensable, as wet weather
advanced and mud grew deeper, to build from all the
camps, along the river-bank to Rum Point, where was
THE DEATH OF DR. LUTHER V. BELL. 125
the division supply depot, a corduroy road. It turned
out the best road in this part of Maryland, solid, wide,
substantial. Tlie men had some rare sport in building
it, cutting down trees containing coons, owls, and
game of various kinds, and, accidentally of course,
tripping each other up near some hole full of soft mud,
singing, whistling, telling stories, cracking jokes, and
asking as they plodded along, tottering under the heavy
green timbers, and spattered with mud up to the mid-
dle, " Who wouldn't be a soldier in the army ? "
On the 11th of February, 1862, Gen. Hooker's en-
tire division suffered a great loss in the 'death of Dr.
Luther V. Bell, its first medical director, formerly su-
perintendent of the Massachusetts McLean Asylum for
the Insane. He died at his post, refusing to leave for
home, although, for weeks previously, very seriously
indisposed. His funeral was attended by all the offi-
cers of the division, and the remains sent home under
the charge of Dr. John Foye.
Among the graduates of Harvard College in the reg-
iment, was Capt. Edward A. Wild, of Company A, of
the class of 1844. Twenty of his classmates sent him
for a New-Year's present, in January, 1862, an elegant
sword, of the regulation pattern, very elaborately
chased, heavily gilded, with gold cord and tassels,
and a shark-skin sheath. Capt. Wild became subse-
quently colonel of the Thirty-fifth Regiment, and lost
an arm at the battle of Antietam. He was afterwards
commissioned brigadier-general of colored troops under
Gen. Butler.
During the autumn of 1861, strong efforts were
made to obtain the commission of brigadier-general
for Col. Cowdin, and secure his appointment to the
11*
12G THE FinST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
first bngaclc. Gen. Hooker wrote a strong letter in
his behalf. Mayor George Opdyke, of New York, and
other influential men, interceded for him ; but, on the
19th of February, he was relieved by Brig.-Gen. Henry
M. Naglee, a graduate of West Point, who took com-
mand of the brigade, and Col. Oowdin at once re-
turned to the First Regiment. He met with a hearty
reception, was honored with a serenade in the evening,
after which he made a few remarks, and received six
rousing cheers.
A gale in camp is quite as destructive as in a city
or town. The one which, on Feb. 24, inflicted so
much damage in Boston and elsewhere, was equally
disastrous at Budd's Ferry. Boats were driven ashore
and stove, barns blown down, the cabin of Company
B's commissioned officers unroofed, the Cumstoli Chapel
Tent prostrated, several other tents levelled with the
ground, tarred paper and other roofing torn from
tlie roofs of company houses, and things generally
sent flying round the camp in dire confusion.
A couple of Whitworth ten-pounder guns, from loyal
friends in England, were assigned to the division during
this month, which, upon being tried by Gens. Hooker
and Naglee, were found to possess great accuracy and
power.
After dress-parade, Tuesday evening, March 5, Mr.
Lewis Mason, on behalf of some two hundred of his
fellow-citizens in Boston, presented Col. Cowdin with
a superb sword having two scabbards, together with
a costly silk sash, a handsome pair of epaulets, and
an elegant belt. Speeches, music, and cheering fol-
lowed the presentation ; and a fine serenade closed
the day.
EVACUATIOX OF THE REBEL WORKS. 127
Early in March, considerable activity was observable
among the rebel encampments on the other side of the
river. Huge fires were kept burning in certain locali-
ties day and night. Occasionally the rebels would allow
half a dozen vessels to pass up or down the Potomac,
without discharging a gun, and then, all of a sudden,
become more noisy than ever. Several of their posi-
tions had been shelled by the gunboats " Satellite "
and " Island Belle," which had caused some changes.
On the afternoon of Sunday, March 9, during a
gunboat reconnoissance, the rebel batteries, to the
inexpressible astonishment of Union lookers-on, were
suddenly evacuated. The whole country, for miles
up and down the Potomac, and far back to the rear,
seemed to be in a perfect uproar. Every thing burn-
able was set on fire, guns spiked, gunpowder blown up ;
and soon dense volumes of smoke arose from all the
camps, showing that they too had been fired and
deserted. For over two hours, loud explosions were
heard in the direction of this burning property, hidi-
cating that magazines and barracks were sharing the
same fate.
The steamer " Page " likewise, and two schooners,
which had been kept near the batteries, began to blaze ;
and every thing betokened a panic and stampede from
the sacred shore so long and defiantly held. The
Maryland shore of the Potomac was covered with an
enthusiastic and delighted crowd of spectators; and
many and loud were the cheers, as fire would break
out in some fresh spot, or a magazine explode, or a
gun or shells reached by the flames go off untouched.
It pretty soon became evident that the works were
abandoned, and the long-expected and somewhat
128 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS- REGIMENT.
dreaded passage of the Potomac could be made with-
out a battle. Accordingly, three gunboats drew near
to the land, and two barges, loaded with men from the
Massachusetts First, rowed over from this side. Union
flags were brought into requisition, and soon the glori-
ous banner of freedom was floating from the Opossum-
nose Battery, carried thither by the gunboat " Anna-
costa's " crew, and from the Shipping-Point Battery
carried thither by the men of this regiment.
To Lieut. Frank Carruth belongs the honor of first
waving this flag above the fortification from which so
long had frowned the rebel cannon.
Our men very soon covered the works like a colony
of ants. They dived into the burning magazines;
spiked one of the guns which had been left loaded ;
found three whose muzzles had been pointing at us in
the Southern style of threatening (inade of wood) ; vis-
ited the cook-houses, where was fresh meat just cut
for somebody's dinner ; and gathered up relics of every
description in the way of shot, shells, bowie-knives,
battery apparatus, culinary implements, <fec., with
which they loaded themselves.
The next day five hundred men went over again to
make thorough investigations. They found at Ship-
ping Point sixteeii lieavy guns, three of which were
white-oak Quakers, intended to deceive balloonists ;
four had been burst, the rest spiked, and the car-
riages split up, and set on fire.
The great gun, which threw the hundred and twen-
ty-eight pound shell, was found loaded to the muzzle
with sand, with a fire kindled near, in the hope that
its discharge would ruin it. On it, in raised letters,
were the words, "Blakelcy's Patent, Low Moor, 1861;"
THE DESERTED CAMP. 129
and the weight was between ten and eleven thousand
pounds. This gun was brought from England in the
" Bermuda.'*
The battery was abundantly supplied with cannon-
balls, cannister and grape-shot, and shells ; the de-
fences were planned so that a prolonged and bloody
resistance could be made ; there was a covered way,
and the gunners were screened by bomb-proofs, and
their sleeping-apartments sunk several feet in the
ground. But Union feet trod the places they had
held so defiantly. Union hands repossessed the prop-
erty they had stolen, and not a drop of blood had been
spilt, not a life lost, not a man even scratched. Capts.
Wild, Chamberlain, and Ward, with their companies,
went out on scouting parties, in different directions
from the battery, and visited all the deserted rebel
camps.
They found and brought away a considerable quan-
tity of regimental papers and private letters, which
were in the hurry left scattered about the rebel quar-
ters. The papers, for the most part, were poorly kept,
and showed both a lax state of discipline among the
troops, and gross ignorance on the part of the officers.
The private letters were of all descriptions, from al-
most illegible scrawls, with all the rules of grammar
and spelling set at defiance, to delicate missives on gilt-
edged paper, or verbose documents with rabid changes
rung on the prevailing sentiment, " Death to the Yan-
kees!"
The deserted camps were found supplied with every
thing needful for winter-quarters. The houses were
built of logs, with floors and roofs of board, some hav-
ing glazed windows ; and one actually green blinds,
130 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Their cooking arrangements were on the most liberal
scale ; and the utensils good as to quality, and plentiful
in quantity ; but houses, beds, and every thing else, in
fact, were filtliy to the last degree.
Five prisoners were brought over, three white and
two colored. One was an English boy, not twenty
years of age, who had been in the country but one
year, and joined the Texas Eangers, or "Yankee-
killers," as they termed themselves, from whom he
deserted with evident satisfaction. All the prisoners
were sent at once to Washington. The prisoners were
decently dressed, and said they had been well fed, but
agreed that the rebels were fast losing heart in their
cause ; and some declared it was ruined forever.
Two banners were obtained ; one by Lieut. Cand-
ler, of Company A, belonging to an Arkansas regi-
ment, with the State coat of arms and motto, '^Reg-
nant Populi^^^ on one side ; and on the other, " Our
rights. Peaceably, if we can — forcibly, if we must."
This was made of silk, and considerably defaced.
The other was a handsome satin banner, obtained by
Capt. Chamberlain, Company K, with " Onward to
Victory " on one side, and " The Randolph Hornets "
on the other. Nearly every house of the Yankee-
killers had also a black rag of some sort nailed
above the door, showing that the chivalric gentlemen
had at last come out in their true colors, and mani-
fested the high-toned sentiments which had impelled
them to expose their valuable lives to defend perjured
robbers and lying cheats in higli places.
Trophies of every conceivable variety were brought
to camp, from a litter of bloodhound pups to a
hundred and twenty-eight pound shell. Tooth-brush-
THE DESERTED CAMP. 131
es, buttons, Bibles, blankets, candy, tobacco. Under-
wood's Boston pickles, Ames's North-Easton shovels
and spades, wheelbarrows, chairs, camp-stools, pow-
der and flasks, shot, guji-sights, cap-boxes, came over
by the boat-load.
The rebel camps were abundantly supplied with
every thing needed for creature comfort ; and if tbcy
had been kept neat or clean, and laid out with proper
regularity, would have been very creditable to their
late occupants ; but they were filled with vile odors.
The houses were infested with vermin, damp, and
black with smoke ; and most of our men would
sooner sleep on the ground than in one of them.
Capt. Ward found a plentiful supply of boats along
the banks of Quantico Creek, and some very fine ones ;
but most of them had been sawn in two, or holes were
bored in their sides to render them valueless.
The rebels seemed to have lived upon the fat of the
land. Beef, pork, flour, bread, salt, coffee, &c., were
found among their stores, not to mention whiskey, and
a large case of candy.
In one instance, a table had just been set for din-
ner, the meat was already cut, and the cakes by the
fire, showing, that from that place the occupants were
in too much of a hurry to get away to stop for a lunch.
The company rolls and morning reports of regiments
showed that there had been great mortality among the
men.
From one company of less than seventy, thirty were
reported to have died. In a coffin-warehouse, where
twelve ready-made coffins were found, an order came
to light for twenty-four coffins to be furnished to one
regiment at one time.
132 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Orders were at once issued from headquarters to
reraove all property of value from the rebel position,
and render it useless for defensive purposes.
After three days' work, the batteries on Cockpit and
Shipping Points were dismantled. The magazine that
had been left so that, upon being opened, it might
explode, and blow all around it to atoms ; and the
great guns which had been loaded to the muzzle, and
so arranged that they might burst, when the fortifica-
tion was entered, — all proved harmless. The carriages
were split up and burned, the guns left in the sand, or
thrown over the bank, the shot, shell, and other mili-
tary property loaded into lighters ; and soon silence
and desolation reigned along the shore so lately trod-
den by rebel feet, and shaken by the roar of rebel
artillery.
While pursuing their tasks, the members of the
First came across numbers of graves. They were
laid out in streets, carefully labelled, and contained
pathetic remonstrances against disturbing the repose
of the dead, and violating the sanctity of the tomb, so
that suspicions were engendered that the sacred dead
might be brought to life again, and made to see a
little more service under the sun.
Spades and shovels were accordingly brought into
requisition; and speedily were exhumed, not the bodies
of departed Confederates, but numbers of nice new
tents, packages of clothing, mess-chests furnislied
with all the appliances of modern cookery, trunks of
various articles, tools, <fec. The grave-diggers were
complimented for the success of their first sacrilegious
experiment, and recommended to try again.
Among the men left behind by the rebels was one
SLA VE-HUNTING. 133
who claimed to be a Union man, and who stated that
because he refused to accompany them to Richmond,
they had threatened to handcuff him, when he deliber-
ately took out a razor, and cut his throat. This neces-
sitated his being left ; and, having been called upon
by our assistant surgeon. Dr. Monroe, he freely told
the circumstances to him, claiming to be a Union man,
and entitled to Union protection.
After this date, we heard no more the reverberations
of rebel artillery echoing through the woods and over
the hills around Camp Hooker. The Potomac became
alive with Union sailing-craft, and steamboats of all
sizes. Thousands upon thousands of troops were
transported down the river towards the Peninsula, and
preparations were made, as rapidly as possible, to va-
cate Budd's Ferry, and join in the general advance on
Richmond, by the way of Yorktown, Williamsburg,
and the Pamunkey.
Congress having passed the law forbidding officers
and men in the army to assist in the capture and ren-
dition of slaves, not a few of these unfortunate beings
sought asylum in the various camps. One man came
along complaining he had lost two, another four,
another six, of them.
Twenty-one of these bereaved and afflicted gentle-
men once called upon Gen. Hooker for permission
to search the various camps for their property. The
permission was given. But in slave-hunting it is one
thing to seek, and quite another to find. A dozen men
could have been secreted in Camp Hooker, whom no
slave-hunter could ferret out, unless our troops were
willing.
As these traders in human flesh, yea, human happi-
12
134 TEE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS BEGIMENT.
ness and welfare, rode by Camp Hooker, the jeers and
outcries they provoked proved, that, whatever party
theory the men might maintain, their sympathies were
practically on the right side.
In a certain regiment of Gen. Sickles's brigade, one
of tliese heartless scoundrels dared to discharge a
pistol at a negro who refused to stop when he com- !
manded, and was summarily hustled out of the camp. \
Another took a stick to his chattel ; and the chattel, ;
sniffing the air of emancipation, wrenched it out of ;
his hands, and gave the holder such a taste of its quali-
ty, that he called out to the surrounding soldiers to
interfere. But the soldiers were law-abiding citizens
from New York : it was uncongressional to interfere,
and, in some singular manner, the chattel spirited him-
self away, leaving no token of his presence other than
the ireful exasperation and aching shoulders of his for-
mer master. So the tables turned. So liberty sprang
to life wherever was seen the gleam of Union bayonets,
or heard the tramp of Union battalions.
Contrabands from Virginia were continually coming
in. Every week or two, a squad of twenty or more
crossed the river, bag and baggage, and were escorted
to our provost-marshal's quarters, laughing, cracking
jokes, and looking as jolly as possible.
He passed them on to Washington, where some pro- ,
vision was made for them by the Government, until
tliey could be furnished with permanent occupation.
One lot came from Fredericksburg. They reported
that tliis town was evacuated, and, their masters hav-
ing left them, they thouglit it no harm to leave their
masters.
CAMPING OUT. 135
The barracks of the First Regiment were now
selected for a division-hospital, and the men obliged
to vacate, and pitch tents in the open field. Some
grumbling arose at this ; but, by the majority, it was
submitted to with good grace and in a quiet way.
^.^#^%
CHAPTER V.
SIEGE OF YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA.
" We wait beneath the furnace-blast
The pangs of transformation :
Not painlessly does God recast
And mould anew the nation.
Hot burns the fire
Where wrongs expire ;
Nor spares the hand
That from the land
Uproots the ancient evil." — J. G. Whittier.
AS soon as the soldiers were ousted from their snug
quarters at Camp Hooker, and required to take
up with tents again, arrangements were made to trans-
port all superfluous baggage to Washington for stor-
age. Wagon-loads of trunks filled with clothing, relics,
&c., were sent off in consequence, together with the
chapel tent and other tents, not actually indispensable
during a campaign. New clothing, shoes, and caps
were issued to the companies, with whatever articles
were needed to complete their accoutrements ; and
every cartridge-box received a full supply of powder
and ball. The hospital supplies of thirteen camps,
with various extras obtained from the United-States
Sanitary Commission, were piled up in and around the
brigade hospital-building, sick officers and privates re-
moved to the various structures assigned for their use,
and a couple of lady nurses from the former division
hospital ordered by Gen. Hooker to report for duty to
I
, 1 \ \TTTV
EMBARKATION OF THE REGIMENT. 137
the surgeon in charge. The library of the Fay l^iiterary
Institute was left for the use of the sick or convalescent,
and proved not only acceptable, but very useful to
them.
At the solicitation of several slave-owners in the
vicinity, orders were issued that no colored persons be
allowed to go on board the steamboats or sailing craft
engaged in the transportation of troops ; but as grain,
baggage, provisions, and stores had to be put aboard
by such persons, several managed to secrete themselves
on board at the same time, and, remaining invisible
until the soldiers arrived at their destination, effected
in this vray their escape from bondage.
- Friday, April 4, orders were issued to pack up every
thing, and move to the transports. Accordingly, re-
veille was heard at four o'clock the next morning, break-
fast was eaten straightway, tents struck at six o'clock,
the line formed at seven ; and by nine, a.m., every thing
was on board the steamboat " Kennebec." The men
were packed in and stowed away without much regard
to comfort or cleanliness ; but, as it was supposed that
twenty-four hours would prove the limit of their stay,
no complaint was heard. The day passed, however,
and the boat had not stirred. Night came. What
was left of Widow Budd's house was set on fire and
burned to the ground in the darkness. Sunday dawned
and passed ; Sunday night passed also. It was not
until Monday forenoon, two days after we embarked,
that the anchor was weighed and the engines put in
motion. With us were the " South America," " Em-
peror," " Jenny Lind," " Pioneer," and several schoon-
ers loaded with the other regiments of our brigade,
horses, cannon, and supplies.
12*
138 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Relio:ious services were held on the deck of the
" Kennebec," Sunday, April 6 ; during which an event
occurred which came near proving disastrous. Several
men, listening to the discourse, were leaning heavily
against the vessel's rail. It proved too weak for their
support, and gave way so suddenly, that, quick as a
flash, three of them were precipitated into the water,
and disappeared beneath the surface. Eager looks
were bent upon the place where they had sunk ; and
ready hands caught ropes, and threw them overboard
for their support. All three luckily came to the surface,
seized the ropes, and were at once drawn on board,
having sustained no other injury than a thorough duck-
ing. The services then proceeded, and were con-
cluded as usual. When the " Kennebec" arrived at the
mouth of the Potomac, a north-east storm had arisen,
with somewhat of a gale and a heavy sea ; so that it was
deemed advisable to come to anchor, and wait for it to
subside. Several of the soldiers were seasick; and the
steamboat's being heavily loaded caused it to roll and
pitch in a very disagreeable manner.
The storm began to abate Wednesday evening, when
the trip was resumed ; and at nine o'clock Thursday
morning the vessel was anchored off Fortress Monroe.
The men were now on very short commons ; had been
five days instead of one crowded together like sheep in
a pen, many of them seasick ; and were longing for a
chance to tread the solid earth once more. The next
morning, at Ship Point, on the York River, they
left the " Kennebec " for the woods.
While at Fortress Monroe, many objects of interest
were presented to the eye. The original " Monitor,"
iron-clad, which had scared oflf the " Merrimack," was
LANDING OF THE TROOPS. 139
anchored alongside, waiting for another visit from the
discomfited monster. The " Yanderbilt," was also
there, with its huge prow of wood and iron, ready to run
the formidable rebel craft down. The Rip-Raps loomed
up above the water, showing grim rows of port-holes in
threatening array. Sewell's-Point and Newport-News
batteries were plainly visible likewise, and the masts of
the frigate " Cumberland," which heroically went down
without striking her flag on the 8th of March, in con-
flict with the "Merrimack."
Ship Point had been fortified by the rebels, and
some formidable earthworks thrown up to prevent the
landing of our forces. They were evacuated upon our
approach, however, without any attempt at resistance.
At the landing were large numbers of troops just disem-
barked from a fleet of steamers, piles of quartermas-
ters' and commissaries' stores, and ordnance great and
small. Bands were playing merrily as we marched
into the woods ; and regiments lay over the fields in
every direction, awaiting orders. The locality was
found very unfavorable for the troops, on account of its
low, swampy character. At any time during the day,
water could be obtained by digging two or three
feet ; and at night, or just before sunrise in the morn-
ing, fogs and mists enveloped land and water alike. A
change of quarters was therefore made on the afternoon
of Saturday, the 12th ; and, after a march of about six
miles, the regiment encamped a few hundred feet in
rear of the Poquosin River, upon land high and dry, in
the midst of a growth of young pines. The appearance
of the vicinity was not uninviting. There were several
well-built houses, surrounded by cultivated plots of
ground ; and the residents, though not communicative,
140 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
were civil and respectful. Most of the men had disap-
peared, having joined or been compelled to enter the
rebel army. Tlie women and children who remained,
though reticent and sorrowful, were not insulting.
Until Wednesday, the 16th, the troops were occupied
in building a wharf, loading and unloading vessels,
and making themselves comfortable in their tents. All
the regiments composing the brigade were encamped
close by ; and both Gens. Hooker andNaglee had their
headquarters in our immediate vicinity. Fresh troops
were pouring in daily, and marching up in the direc-
tion of Yorktown ; and the occasional discharge of
artillery, softened by distance, showed that its invest-
ment had already begun. All around us were life,
activity, and stir ; and every one felt eager to press
forward, and participate in the enterprises evidently on
foot. Never was an army in better spirits or better
condition than that which Gen. McClellan gathered
before Yorktown. Unlimited confidence was felt in
him, and perfect assurance that his measures would
result in the rout of the rebels, not only from York-
town, but also from Williamsburg and Richmond.
The march from Poquosin River was about four
miles. On the way we passed several well-constructed
earthworks commanding the roads, a couple of un-
completed forts, and some abandoned camps, where,
the rebels had spent the winter. Although it was late
in the season, the roads, owing to the marshy condition
of the soil, were almost impassable for heavy artillery ;
and fatigue-parties were at work even then, construct-
ing corduroys. Arrived at the extreme front, we
were encamped under cover of a thick wood, nearly
two miles from the rebel fortifications, in close order,
YORK TOWN. 141
by column of brigades. We occupied, it was said, the
very fields formerly held by the American army under
George Washington ; and our camps were pitched close
by the spot where he received the surrender of Lord
Cornwallis and his army on the 19th of October, 1781.
Yorktown at this time, like most Virginia settlements,
was in a state of dilapidation and decay. Notwith-
standing its historical importance, there did not seem
to be enterprise enough among its inhabitants to keep
it in a neat and respectable condition. Being the cap-
ital of York County, and a port of entry, it contained
a court house, jail, county offices, and some other pub-
lic buildings ; but, until occupied and fortified by the
rebel forces, it could not boast of over three hundred
residents.
On the 5th of April, the first and third divisions of
Gen. Heintzelman's corps advanced upon it from the
direction of Great Bethel. Averill's cavalry and Ber-
dan's sharpshooters had the advance, on the lookout
for ambuscades and masked batteries. Passing by
Cheeseman's and Goose Creeks, over a swampy forest
road, three miles in length, through mud sometimes
up to the men's knees, they emerged into the open
country about ten o'clock in the morning, and took up
position in plain sight of the rebel intrenchments
around Yorktown and beyond. They were evidently
very strong. Some thousands of negroes had been
employed upon them for several months. Berdan's
sharpshooters were posted only eight hundred yards
from the enemy's lines ; the artillery, supported by in-
fantry in the rear, about fifteen hundred yards. The
first shot came from the rebels. It struck in the sand,
doing no harm. Being immediately responded to, a
142 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
second one followed, which hit Private Reynolds, a
gunner in Capt. Weeden's battery, on the right thigh.
His limb was amputated ; but he died in less than half
an hour. The firing now became general, and contin-
ued, without intermission, for an hour and a half.
The rebel pieces were twelve and twenty-four pounders,
from whicli tliey fired mainly solid shot : ours were
ten-pound rifles, throwing shells.
While tlie artillerists were most busily engaged,
the rebel gunners suffered severely from our sharp-
shooters. Every man was on the watch ; and, as soon
as a single head or form appeared at an embrasure,
the unerring rifle-ball was sent on its mission of death.
At least fifty of the enemy were killed or wounded in this
manner without his being able to retort. Exasperated
at last, they wheeled out a howitzer to the left of their
works, discharged it, and then drew it back to reload,
sending at the same time a body of skirmishers into
the rifle-pits fronting their works ; but the havoc con-
tinued, and, on account of it, their fire slackened,
which led to a partial suspension of the conflict. It
was renewed fitfully, at intervals, throughout the day,
but, towards night, ceased altogether ; and our forces,
having demonstrated their ability to hold the position,
went into bivouac on the right and left of the York-
town Turnpike. A little to the left of this, in plain
sight of the hostile earthworks, was found an aban-
doned saw-mill. The engine, machinery, and belting
had been left in perfect order ; and nothing upon the
grounds could have been more opportune. It was pre-
cisely what we wanted to furnish planking for our
siege-works ; and was at once taken possession of, and
made to do good service in the Union cause.
INCESSANT AND EXHAUSTIVE LABOR. 143
It was thought, at first, that the fortifications around
Yorktown might be carried by assault : but, after re-
peated and careful examinations, this idea was aban-
doned, as involving altogether too much sacrifice of
human life ; and a series of regular approaches by
parallels was determined upon. By April 20, two-
thirds of Gen. McClellan's army were within cannon-
shot of the enemy's lines, shielded from sight by inter-
vening woods, which hid both parties from each other's
observation; and, lest our proximity might be revealed,
bands were forbidden to play, drum-calls were given
up, and no firing allowed except when in front on ac-
tual duty. The labors of the men were incessant, and
unusually fatiguing. To prevent surprise, they were
roused between three and four o'clock every morning,
and compelled to stand under arms for an hour or
more. After breakfast, details from all the companies
were sent with a shovel, axe, or pick over one shoulder,
and a gun over the other, to work on the roads, in the
trenches, or among the woods. They did not return
till night, and then, after turning in utterly exhausted,
were liable to be called up once or more every night
by a sortie from the enemy, or a false alarm from our
own pickets. The rebels seemed to be perfectly aware
of the strength of their earthworks ; and towards the
west, beyond the reach of our sharpshooters, would
occasionally hold a dress-parade outside their forts in
plain sight of our pickets, going through the various
movements with as much nonchalance as though fight-
ing were only a commonplace event, and warfare pas-
time.
During the earlier part of the siege, they made some
experiments with a balloon, which was seen to rise
144 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
over the northern line of then- works to the height of
at least twelve hundred feet, and remain stationary for
several minutes : but the attempt proved a failure, or
they were dissatisfied with the result ; for it was never
renewed.
By command of Gen. McClellan, the entire Union po-
sition was named " Camp Winfield Scott." It extend-
ed across the peninsula formed by the York and James
Rivers, from the mouth of Warwick River, a tributary
of the James, to Wormley's Creek, wIhcIi was an afflu-
ent of the York. A formidable chain of redoubts had
been established along the line at least ten miles in
length, which terminated at Gloucester Point, opposite
Yorktown, in double-rank batteries commanding both
river and shore.
At Lee's Mills, the southernmost point of the Union
position, an attempt was made on the 16th of April to
drive the rebels out of their intrenchments. Covered
by a heavy artillery fire, the Vermont brigade crossed
a narrow stream fronting the line of rebel rifle-pits,
and succeeded in driving them out at the point of the
bayonet ; but falling back into a redoubt in the rear,
and receiving reenforcements, not only in front, but
in a flanking position on the left, they opened a cross-
fire so galling that the Green-Mountain boys were
compelled to fall back.
To prevent an assault upon them by overwhelming
numbers as they fell back to their former position , fire
was opened along the entire lines. This had the de-
sired effect ; and the men returned in good order, cov-
ering themselves with trees to the verge of the stream,
and then crossed without confusion, carrying their
wounded with them. The bullets flew so thick in the
SIEGE OPERATIONS. 145
stream, that one of the combatants declared it remind-
ed him of a sap-boihng in maple-sugar time. As fast
as they arrived on this side, the men, drenched as they
were, faced about, and kept the rebels at a respectful
distance ; while many, who were merely looking on,
voluntarily plunged into tlie water, and rescued the
wounded, who were clinging to trees, or sitting with
their heads just above the surface.
On both sides a perpetual watch was kept to prevent
surprise, and take advantage of any oversight commit-
ted by either party. This led to the waste of an im-
mense amount of gunpowder, lead, and iron, espe-
cially at night, when trees were mistaken for men, fire-
flies for lighted matches, and bushes, swayed by the
breeze, for armed battalions creeping cautiously along
on hands and knees. Most of the work in the trenches,
where the details were at all exposed, was done in the
night. During the daytime the risk was greater, inas-
much as the enemy could get the range with tolerable
accuracy, and observe the effect of their shot. At
night it was mostly guess-work. In the vicinity of
every working party, some one was always posted
on the watch. During the day a puff of white smoke,
and at night the sudden flash of the gun, gave warn-
hig of the coming shell ; and before it reached its ob-
ject, every man was lying flat behind the breastwork.
To novices this labor was very exciting, and no special
pains were needed to keep them awake while it was
being done. But such creatures of habit are we, that,
after a week or ten days, men, having completed the
portion assigned them on the works, would retire a
few paces, lie down, and sleep as soundly amid the roar
of hostile cannon and the crash of bursting shells as
13
146 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
ill their beds at home. Occasionally, some one would
be killed or seriously injured; but such casualties were
more owing to careless exposure on the part of those
curious to survey the hostile intrenchments, than to
the hazards attending the discharge of duty. During
the day, about all the rebel cannoneers or riflemen
could see of the Union fatigne-parties were the tops
of their picks and spades as they were lifted above
their heads, or the shovelfuls of earth that were
thrown upon the ramparts ; and the only general effect
of firing upon these was to strengthen them, and thus
expedite the very work they were eager to prevent.
The position of sharp-shooter was one of constant
privation and jeopardy. Creeping out at night on all-
fours to within six or eight hundred yards of the op-
posite lines, he selected a tree, stone, pit, or chimney,
behind which to secrete himself. At daylight, every
part of him must be invisible, and remain so till sun-
down. At the same time, he must be able to draw a
bead upon some rebel angle, embrasure, or other posi-
tion of importance. Whatever the weather, — warm,
cold, wet, or dry ; whatever his condition, sick or well,
wounded, or even dying, — there he must remain till
nightfall, or, exposing himself, run the risk of instant
deatli. Among Berdan's sharp-shooters was one known
by the soubriquet of " California Joe," who had acquired
the reputation of being the best shot in the army.
Many stories are told about him, undoubtedly having
their foundation more in imagination than in reality ;
but, at the same time, it is true that he rendered signal
service in keeping guns, that would otherwise have
proved very troublesome, silent. Over one large piece
he obtained such perfect control by picking off the
SIEGE OPERATIONS. 147
men as fast as they endeavored to load and fire it, that
he called it " his gun : " and, as long as he remained
in front, it truly seemed to be ; for it was very seldom
discharged, except at night. Other sharp-shooters had
stories of hair-breadth escapes, of rifle-duels, and inju-
ry inflicted upon the enemy, most wonderful to tell ;
and the marvel is that they have not all been collected
in a book, and given to the public.
The sharp-shooters answered the purpose of pickets
in the daytime ; for not a rebel showed himself above
or outside the parapet but half a dozen rifle-balls ad-
monished him to be more cautious : but at night, when
the sharp-shooters were relieved, the pickets w^ere posted
as usual in the open field, supported by a reserve along
the edge of the woods. Once or twice during the
darkness, the rebel pickets were posted inside our lines,
or ours inside theirs ; a mistake that did not remain
long undiscovered.
The quarters of Gens. Heintzelman, Hooker, and
Naglee, were all witliin cannon-shot distance of the
rebel parapets ; Gen. Heintzelman's, indeed, being al-
most on aline with the first parallel ; and the men saw
them exposed daily to the same perils from flying mis-
siles with themselves.
Notwithstanding the crowded condition of the camps,
their close proximity to each other, and the exhausting
labors required of the troops, tliey found time to adorn
their tents, beautify their streets, set out trees, and
make every thing about them look pleasant and invit-
ing. Go where they would, these Northern men car-
ried Northern tastes and notions with them ; and in
the quarters of two-tliirds of them could be found the
148 rilE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Northern papers and magazines just as plentifully as
in the same number of habitations at home.
The landing at Cheeseman's Creek presented at this
time a spectacle of industry, activity, and enterprise,
well worth a visit. Steamers of every tonnage and
kind lay at the wharves and out in the stream. Sailing
vessels loaded down to the water's edge with stores
and munitions of war, piles of shot and shell of every
size, rows of cannon of every caliber, boxes of mus-
kets, fixed ammunition, clothing, hospital and saiiitary
stores, blacksmiths' forges, pontoon - boats, sutlers'
booths, immense wheels for the conveyance of ord-
nance, temporary depots for the reception and delivery
of commissary and quartermaster's stores, long lines
of army wagons from every brigade, division, and
corps, waiting to be loaded, and scores of laborers,
soldiers, sailors, and civilians, rushing here and there,
made up a scene of physical energy and exertion not
easily forgotten.
Among the outworks of the rebels in front of York-
town was a lunette, so named from its curved, moon-
like shape, which gave them considerable advantage in
skirmishing with our pickets, and harassing our fatigue-
parties. It was determined to destroy it. Saturday
morning, April 26, about one o'clock, three companies of
the Massachusetts First, and two from the Massachu-
setts Eleventh, were roused from their slumbers, and,
by order of Gen. McClellan, led to a point in the woods
nearest the lunette which it was deemed advisable to
take and destroy. The companies chosen were H, A,
and I, under the command of Capts. Carruth, Wild,
and Rand, respectively. The whole expedition was
accompanied by Brig. -Gen. Grover, who had succeeded
ATTACK ON A REBEL LUNETTE. 149
Gen. Naglee in command of the brigade, under whose
direction Lieut.-Col. Wells planned and conducted the
assault.
The redoubt was some four hundred yards distant
from the woods, and was approached through an open
cornfield, every inch of which was commanded by a
powerful rebel battery.
Companies A. and I acted as flank and reserve, and
Company H made the charge. Ten minutes after the
command " Forward, double-quick ! " was given, the
redoubt was taken at the point of the bayonet, and
the enemy were flying in confusion through the woods.
Immediately the two companies of the Eleventh were
ordered forward with shovels and picks ; and in less
than an hour the redoubt was levelled to the field, and
the work destroyed. Having accomplished their gal-
lant exploit, our troops retired through a terrific fire
of round shot, shell, grape, and canister, and returned
to camp.
The charge of Company H was made just at dawn
of day, over an open field, every foot of which was
exposed to battery and rifle-pit fires, yet not a man
faltered. " Forward, double-quick," over miry, une-
ven ground they went, in too much of a hurry to
fire, with bayonets fixed, and determined to take the
works, or die in the attempt. When within a few
yards, the men raised a shout for Old Massachusetts :
through the ditch, and up the parapet, over went the
gallant company ; and the rebels, who previously had
been pouring in a deadly fire, broke and fled in every
direction. The picks and shovels of the Eleventh
quickly accomplished the destruction of the redoubt.
Company A was out in the field under fire, and^
13*
150 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Company I in reserve if H should need support ; but
H had nobly and thoroughly done its work.
There were about seventy men in Company H,
which made the brilliant charge described. They
never fired a shot till they reached the ditch in front,
when they fired one volley, and leaped the ditch.
Privates Patrick J. Donovan and John M. James,
with Orderly-Sergeant Manderville, were the first within
the redoubt on the right, and Lieut. Chandler the first
on the left, closely followed by Corporals John H.
Newling and William A. Smith, and Sergeant C. H.
Carruth.
One sergeant and fourteen privates of the enemy's
force were cut off by the fire of Company A of the
Eleventh Regiment, and captured.
Before the charge was made, Lieut. -Col. Wells ad-
dressed Company H almost in a whisper, the enemy
were so near, reminding them that this was McClellan's
first order since the siege began ; that the honor of
Massachusetts was in their keeping ; that they had
stood by him once, and he depended upon them to
stand by him again.
Nobly did the men respond to his words, and well
did they sustain the honor of the dear old State which
sent them forth to fight under her banner !
As they advanced, man after man fell wounded or
killed, volley after volley was poured into their ranks :
but straight onward, with a rush and a shout that noth-
ing could resist, they went, till the enemy fled, and the
works were their own.
When they were retiring, the rebels commenced a
brisk cannonade from the forts to the left, which were
not more than seven or eight hundred yards distant.
CASUALTIES. 151
III good order, our skirmishers retired in the midst of
this heavy fire from the enemy's artillery. Shells were
bursting all around, scattering dirt over many ; but
the regiment had been so well drilled in skirmish-
ing, that the company came in cautiously, without
losing a single man. No one thought of running :
on the contrary, all seemed reluctant to leave the field
of action.
The only drawback connected with this brilliant
achievement was the list of killed and wounded. Wal-
ter B. Andrews, George A. Noyes,and William D. Smith,
of Company H, were killed almost instantly ; and Allen
A. Kingsbury of the same company, shot through the
abdomen, died in the course of the day.
Thomas Chittick, Company H, was wounded in the
left leg, below the knee ; William Grantman, received
one bullet through the left groin, and another in the
left thigh ; George L. Stoddard, bullet through the
left groin ; George W. Campbell, bullet through the left
thigh ; William H. Montague, bullet through the lelt
leg, below the knee ; Horace A Lamos, bullet through
the left foot ; George H. Stone, bullet through the left
thigh, a serious, ghastly wound ; William H. Lane,
bullet just above the knee ; William T. Wright, bullet
through the right side, a severe flesh wound, very pain-
ful, but not considered dangerous ; Oliver C. Cooper,
bullet through the fleshy part of the left leg ; Stephen
Wright, Company I, scalp wound on the left side of
the head. Three others, William P. Hallgreen and
J. W. Spooner of Company H, and Thomas Archer
of Company A, were injured so slightly, that they re-
mained on duty after the fight just as before.
The wounded were temporarily accommodated in
152 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
our regimental hospital, and subsequently carried to
Cheeseman's Landing, where the best j^reparations had
been made to receive them on board the splendid
steamer " Commodore," and where skilful surgeons,
Sisters of Mercy, and attendants, were in waiting to
supply them with an abundance of every thing needed
for their comfort and cure. The contrast between the
muddy fields, the wet woods, the narrow shelter-tents,
the rough fare, and hard life of the camp, and the
spacious warm quarters, soft beds, gentle nursing, and
constant care, on board this boat, made them almost
forget their wounds, and bless God they had come out
to defend a country so thoughtful of her heroes when
prostrate and helpless.
The dead were deposited, after appropriate funeral
ceremonies, in a tomb constructed for the purpose, in
the side of a hill, and on Wednesday, the oOtli of April,
sent Nortli for re-interment. They were received at the
depot by a committee of the Chelsea city-government,
having with them two hearses provided by Charles
White of Chelsea. The hearses were draped with
American flags, and the liorses wore heavy black
plumes. The bodies were taken to Chelsea by way
of Charlestown Bridge. The flags in Charlestown and
Chelsea were all at half-mast.
It is probable that there was never so great a throng
of people in the streets of Chelsea as assembled to re-
ceive the bodies. A procession was formed at the
bridge, and escorted the hearses to the City Hall, in
the following order: —
Police force, under City Marshal J. E. Burrell.
Chelsea Brass Band ; J. E. Messenger, leader.
Chelsea Rifle Corps, forty-two rifles, under Capt. A.
PICKET DUTY. 153
J. Hillbourn, and Lieuts. George B. Hanover and J.
H. Perry.
City Committee in carriages, followed by the hearses,
and a long procession of citizens marching four and
four.
At the City Hall a prayer was offerd by Rev. Alanson
P. Mason ; and the bodies were then taken into the
upper hall, and left in charge of Hillbourn's Rifles, a
guard of honor of eight of whom occupied the hall at
night.
After public religious services, they were placed
together in the receiving-tomb of the Garden-street
Cemetery.
Subsequent to the assault of the 26th, the rebels
manifested more vitality than before, keeping up a regu-
lar fire at intervals during the day upon our gunboats,
earthworks, fatigue-parties, and picket-reserves, and
making night fairly hideous with the rattle of small
arms, the roar of heavy cannon, and the scream of fly-
ing shells.
Picket-duty also became unusually hazardous and
trying. The whole regiment would be roused at mid-
night, supplied with rations for twenty-four hours, and
before daylight marched into position but a few hun-
dred yards from the hostile batteries. A few trees, a
ravine, a fence, a house, barn, shed, chimney, big rock, or
hay-stack, were all they had to shelter them from the
enemy's shot ; and here, with every sense on the alert, the
pickets had to watch and wait till their time was up.
Sometimes it was cold and rainy, and the men had to
lie flat in the mud on their faces for hours to avoid shot
and shell. Sometimes a sudden attack was made, and
several were driven in, surrounded, shot, or madepris-
154 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
oners. Sometimes a perpetual fire of musketry or
cannon was kept up from the opposite side, to which
they responded or not, according to orders ; and some-
times nothing transpired worth mentioning. Two
nights' sleep were lost at the least, and no slight hazard
encountered.
The daily work and dangers of the men were vari-
ous. The regular drills were interrupted ; but in-
spections were more frequent than ever to make sure
that guns, equipments, &c., were in perfect order.
Work on the trenches was done by every regiment in
succession along the whole line. Sometimes as many
as ten thousand men were at it at once with shovels,
picks, and spades, guarded by others near at hand,
with loaded muskets or rifles, and saluted by charges
of grape, canister, or shrapnel, from the rebel bat-
teries.
On the 29th, one man was killed and another
wounded. The one killed, foolishly exposed himself,
going outside to pick up a piece of a shell. Another
shell was fired at him which took off half of his head,
and wounded a comrade at the same time.
While at Yorktown, Lieut. Charles L. Chandler, of
Company A, was detailed upon the engineer corps,
stationed with the staff of Gen. McClellan. This gal-
lant young officer served in the First Regiment until
August, 1862, when he was commissioned captain in
the Thirty-fourth. He remained with the Thirty-fourth
till March, 1864, when he was commissioned lieutenant-
colonel of the Fortieth, and shortly afterwards trans-
ferred, with the same rank, to the Fifty-seventh veterans.
He fell mortally wounded in the engagement on the
BALLOON ASCENSION. 155
North Anna River, near Hanover Court House, Va.,
May 24, 1864, aged only twenty-four years.
Acting Adjutant Joseph Hibbert, jun., of the First,
won for himself the approval of Brig.-Gen. Grover, on
account of his gallantry and efficiency during the
affair of the 26th, and was immediately promoted to
be his assistant adjutant-general with the rank of cap-
tain. Lieut. Charles E. Mudge was elected to the post
of regimental adjutant, and held it from that time until
the regiment was mustered out of service, May 25,
1864.
As the Yorktown batteries approached completion,
and one after another the heavy mortars and two hun-
dred pound Parrott's were placed in position, the
rebels manifested a continually increasing uneasiness.
During the 3d of May they kept up an incessant din with
guns of every caliber, and awakened the expectation of
an assault along the whole line. Wishing to know
what it might portend. Gen. McClellan made a balloon
ascension directly in front of the First's regimental
line. As soon as the balloon rose above the tops of the
trees, it was greeted by a perfect storm of missiles,
which came flying into the camp, and bursting all
around him ; so that he was obliged to come down, and
ride away without making mu.ch of an observation.
During the night, the firing was kept up in a furious
manner, filling the Union troops with wonder as to
what the rebels were intending to do ; but about three
o'clock in the morning it suddenly ceased. The pickets
listened, but could hear nothing ; they rose to their feet,
trying to peer through the darkness of the early morn-
ing, but could see nothing. They crept slowly and
cautiously forward, and met with no opposition. Finally
156 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
they reached the hostile breastworks, jumped into the
ditches, scrambled up the ramparts, — the rebels were
gone !
Under cover of the brisk artillery-fire of the pre-
ceding day and night, they had evacuated the place,
carrying with them their sick and wounded, all their
portable supplies and light artillery ; leaving in our L
hands seventy-one heavy guns, with large quantities of
ammunition in the unexploded magazines, hundreds
of tents standing just as their troops had occupied
them, the town of Yorktown with not a building
burned or destroyed, and the entire line of fortifications
from Lee's Mills to and including Gloucester Point, upon
which had been expended months of labor, and which
proved far more formidable than was at first sup-
posed. The main body of the rebels had been gone
four hours before their departure was discovered.
Their rear-guard kept at work on the heavy guns as
long as they dared, and then followed the retreating-
column. It took but a short time to spread the new^s.
Notwithstanding the incredulity with which at first it
was received, and the fears felt in all quarters that
it might prove nothing but what was termed " a sell,"
the evidences that came in from the front accumulated
so rapidly, and engineers, pickets, and fatigue-parties
asserted it so positively, that all unbelief and distrust
of it speedily disappeared ; and then it was astonish-
ing to see how, as by enchantment, the whole spirit
and aspect of Camp Winfield Scott changed, and how
ninety thousand men, released from the hazards of
picket-duty and sharp-shooting, from the drudgery of
trench-work and corduroys, from the silence and re-
straint of previous wearisome weeks, from the expecta-
RETREAT OF THE REBEL ARMY. 157
tion of the morrow's bombardment, and the dread of the
fearful assault to succeed it, from the whole weight and
monotony of the prolonged and tedious siege, — became
possessed of and pervaded by the exhilaration of a
mighty and triumphant joy, and were ready to go any-
where or do any thing that " Little Mac " might com-
mand, so thoroughly had he won their confidence and
admiration by acquiring possession of Yorktown and its
defences without a battle. No longer was silence im-
posed upon bands, drums, or fifes ; and from every
direction they broke forth into patriotic jubilation,
giving '' Hail Columbia," " Red, White, and Blue,"
"Star-spangled Banner," " Glory Hallelujah," "Yan-
kee Doodle," " Rally Round the Flag, Boys," and even
" Dixie," in rapid succession, while bass drums, snare
drums, fifes, and bugles, with cheers intermixed, filled
up the intervals.
But it soon became evident that there was work to
be done of a more serious and important nature. Deser-
ters began to come in, who declared that the enemy had
only fallen back a short distance, and were then in posses-
sion of a better-chosen and more strongly fortified position
than Yorktown itself. Tliey said also that the determina-
tion to evacuate Yorktown was formed by Gens. Lee,
Johnston, Magruder, and Jefferson Davis, who, having
examined Gen. McClellan's parallels, and observed the
damaging effect of his heavy siege guns, came to the con-
clusion that the Yorktown defences would not much
longer be tenable, and resolved to fall back without
waiting for an assault.
Orders were issued forthwith for an immediate and
vigorous pursuit. Gen. Stoneman's cavalry were
straightway in the saddle, and, with a detachment of
14
158 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
flying artillery, advancing rapidly beyond Yorktown in
the direction of Williamsburg. They overtook the rear
of the retreating column in a few hours, and immedi-
ately forced the rebels to an encounter. Our cavalry
charged upon them where they stood at bay, and the
enemy attempted to hold their ground, maintaining
for a short time a hand-to-hand conflict. The artillery
on both sides soon became briskly engaged, when the
rebel cavalry broke and fled.
They were followed but a short distance, as Gen.
Stoneman was without infantry supports, and they
retired within the Williamsburg intrenchments.
Meantime all was bustle and excitement in the
camps around Yorktown. The sudden termination
of the siege without a battle was unexpected, but none
the less acceptable ; and when orders to prepare for an
immediate pursuit of the enemy were circulated, they
were obeyed with alacrity. Rations were served out,
or left to be brought forward in the wagons. The sick
were separated from the well, and sent to Cheeseman's
Landing for hospital treatment. Tents were struck,
camp property gathered together, and guards ap-
pointed for its protection ; and, by ten or eleven o'clock,
most of McClellan's army was in motion towards
Yorktown. Along with the troops went a corps of
telegraphers, putting up poles, and extending the wire
as they proceeded, and making almost as rapid progress
as the infantry. The roads led on the left through War-
wick Court House to Half-way House, some six miles
south-west of Yorktown, and on the right straight
into Yorktown itself by the regular turnpike from Fort-
ress Monroe. The roads were covered and bordered
witli the debris resulting from military operations, and
I
REBEL MALIGNITY. 159
the nostrils were greeted at every turn by an overpower-
ing stench, arising from dead horses, pools of stagnant
water, or heaps of putrid matter gathered and left to rot
in the sun. Stumps of trees, blackened and charred
with fire, abandoned caissons, broken-down army-
wagons, with here and there a single uninhabited hut
or half-ruined barn, completed a scene of unmitigated
desolation, above which in the distance soared Prof.
Lowe in his famous balloon, " The Intrepid," watching
whither over the distant roads the retreating foe had
gone.
Arrived in sight of the Yorktown fortifications, the
stars and stripes were seen waving from the flag-staff
within ; and various regimental banners were planted
upon the ramparts. Union sentinels paced to and fro
along the parapets so lately a shield to the enemy ;
and the huge guns stretched their iron muzzles over
the walls as though to welcome our approach. The
rebels, we found, with an infernal ingenuity, had thickly
strewn torpedoes in the way before us, hiding them
under coats, putting them in pitchers, carpet-bags, and
barrels of flour, planting them in the vicinity of springs,
tents, magazines, and storehouses ; and before night,
four or five of the unwary or fool-hardy among our
forces had been killed by them, and a dozen more or
less severely wounded. As fast as found, they were
marked in some manner, generally by a small flag ; and
Gen. McClellan compelled the prisoners that were
taken to remove them.
To G. W. Rains, of the Fayetteville Arsenal, belongs
the unenviable distinction of having constructed these
diabolical engines of torture and death ; and to his
160 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
brother. Gen. Gabriel J. Rains, the discredit of their
arrangement about the works.
The rebel magazines were all found in excellent con-
dition, and most of them contained an ample supply
of powder and ball. They had ventured to explode
none of these, fearing it would lead to the discovery of
their intended evacuation, and perhaps prevent it from
being carried out. Inside the town, every thing was
in good order, showing that it had not been occupied
by the troops. The Nelson mansion, formerly head-
quarters of Lord Cornwallis, rose far above every thing
else about it ; and the ten, fifteen, or twenty feet struc-
tures of ancient date around it, looked as they might
have done when Judge Nelson indignantly aimed a
gun from the American trenches upon his own resi-
dence. Just beyond the town were several rebel store-
houses, constructed of rough boards, but spacious and
weather-tight. One of these, containing, among other
articles, ammunition and shells, was burning as we
passed it; and the frequent explosion of the latter,
throwing fragments in every direction, compelled our
men to give it a wide berth. In means of transporta-
tion, it was found that the enemy were very deficient.
They seemed to have pressed into their service every
thing in the shape of a wagon, even to common ox-
carts. The consequence was, that, every mile or so,
the regiment would come across some broken-down
farmer's wagon, which had given out and been aban-
doned. In some of these, valuable property was dis-
covered.
'^M^^^c
CHAPTER VI.
BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG.
" I sit to-night by the camp-fire's light,
While the dismal rain is falling;
And in my breast beats a heart oi^pressed
By a sense of gloooi appalling.
The earth is red with the blood of the dead,
Which to-day flowed free as water,
Till the night came down with sullen frown,
And put an end to the slaughter.
By the turnpike wide, on the steep hill-side,
In field and wood they are lying;
And the air is sown with the feeble moan
Of the wounded and the dying." — Anon.
HAD the rebel rear not been hard pressed by Gens.
Stoneman and Hooker, it is doubtful whether
the battle of Williamsburg would ever have taken
place.
It seems to have been the intention of Gen. Joseph
E. Johnston, commanding the main body of the rebel
army, to fall back behind tlie Chickahominy, await the
arrival of Smith and Whiting, who moved up the York
and Pamuiikey Rivers to Whitehouse, and there make
a determined stand for the defence of Richmond. But
the rapid movements of Gens. Stoneman and Hooker
interfered so seriously with the safety of his trains, that,
to cover them, he was obliged to tarry during the night
of the 4th of May in the Williamsburg defences, and
14*
162 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
was caught there with a formidable portion of his army,
early Monday morning, the 5th. These defences con-
sisted of a series of inconsiderable redoubts, stretching
across the peninsula, from Queen's Creek on the right,
to Achaershape Creek on the left, covering the whole
interval from water to water, about a mile in front of
the city. Fort Magruder formed the principal work of
this chain, and mounted several guns capable of deliv-
ering a raking fire over all the roads and fields ap-
proaching Williamsburg from the south-east. Soon
after noon, on Sunday, tli.e 4th, the right and left
wings of the Union army formed a junction at Half-
way House, seven miles from Williamsburg. The right
was halted, and the left passed on ahead. The right
followed, passing over the same road, and at nightfall
came to the scene of Gen. Stoneman's cavalry skir-
mish. In a church close by were fifteen or twenty of
the wounded, some in a dying condition ; and lying
about, in the woods and on a road leading to the left,
here and there could be seen a dead body.
Such of the cavalry as could speak represented
the enemy as numerous and full of fight, but
bent upon falling back if they were only let alone.
That seems not to have been the policy of the
Union generals, for they pressed on through the
untrodden forest, and over a road full of pit-
holes made by the retreating enemy, and did not
halt till they had passed the first line of outworks,
which had been abandoned as we approached, and
arrived within two miles of Fort Magruder. The
troops here went into bivouac at midnight, and
slept soundly upon their arms until roused by a gentle
rain about three o'clock. At daybreak, they were re-
THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. 16o
formed, and the march taken up towards Williamsburg.
For a mile and a half the road was clear, and no indi-
cation of the enemy discernible. Just as we caught
sight of the open plain in front of Williamsburg, how-
ever, there was a sudden halt ; and soon after the dis-
charge of half a dozen rifles told us that our advance
guard had encountered their pickets. Preparations
were made at once to ascertain, if possible, their num-
bers and position. A strong skirmish line was deployed
to the left of the road, extending through an abatis of
felled trees and standing wood, occupying a ditch in
front of the rebel rifle-pits, and completely enfilading
the road leading to Fort Magruder. The parapets of
this work had been constructed so low, that, when the
artillerists were standing upon their gun-platforms,
nearly half of their persons were exposed. As soon as
they began to fire down the road and into the woods,
therefore, they became excellent marks for our skir-
mishers, who in the course of an hour entirely cleared
the ramparts, and kept the guns silent during the rest
of the forenoon. The rain had continued to increase,
and was now pouring down in torrents.
With great exertion, a battery had been brought up
and planted just in front of the woods to the right of
the road. Its commanding officer and several of the
men were severely wounded by the first fire from the
rebels ; and this disheartened the rest so thoroughly,
that they obeyed the instinct of self-preservation, and
retired. Determined that the guns should not be
silent, several volunteers sprang forward, and worked
them without orders. The ground was soft and spongy
where they stood ; and, the rapidly accumulating mois-
ture making it more so, the guns sank lower and lower
164 TII?: FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
every time tliey were discharged, until, at last, the
axles of the carriages actually rested on the soil. In
this situation, they were assaulted and taken by the
enemy, but had to be abandoned and left in our hands
again, as they could not be lifted out of their miry
beds and dragged off by hand.
The advantage of position during all this time rested
entirely with the enemy. Their rifle-pits dotted the open
held by the hundred in every direction, from whence
their sharp-shooters leisurely picked off our men
whenever they exposed themselves. Their redoubts
and infantry-covers, to the number of twelve, afforded
an almost impenetrable shield to their swarming bat-
talions. Their artillery was on high ground, with a
solid foundation to rest upon ; and their forces were
perfectly* familiar with the ground, knowing the exact
situation we must occupy whichever way w^e turned.
At the first of the skirmishing, which was rapid and
vigorous, the enemy retired, thinking, no doubt, that
the whole of Gen. McClellan's army might be drawn
up in the woods, about to make an assault. But, as
their expectations were disappointed in this, they began
cautiously to feel their way out, and in the course of
a couple of hours approached the woods and abatis by
the left oblique, crouching in ravines, skulking behind
trees, and creeping along with the least })ossible expos-
ure of their persons. In tliis way, during the confu-
sion of rapid firing, amid the obscurity of woods and
bashes, half hidden by the condition of the air, whicl)
smoke and rain had made thick and misty, they ad-
vanced two or three times in line of battle, and drove
back our skirmisliers on the left to the infantry reserves,
but received from them each time such a witherhig
REPEATED CHARGES OF THE REBELS. 165
fire, that they were obliged to retire in turn, and were
invariably followed up by a stronger line of our skir-
mishers.
The conduct of the rebels in advancing and retreat-
ing among our wounded and dying, was much more
considerate and humane than we had been led to
expect from their former treatment of them at Black-
burn's Ford. They helped themselves to Springfield
rifles, to cartridges, gun-caps, blankets, overcoats,
and some clothing, without asking permission ; and
assured our men most confidently that we were going
to receive a disastrous defeat : but in repeated instances
they gave the thirsty water to drink from their own
canteens, and placed injured men in more comfortable
positions, or where they would be out of the range of
flying balls.
It did not seem to be Gen. Hooker's intention to
advance beyond the woods bordering the plain in front
of the rebel defences, although evidently his deter-
mination to hold this position at all hazards. At the
same time, it was a manifest cause for exasperation to
the rebels that they could neither draw us forward nor
drive us backward. They had advanced three times
in large numbers, penetrating far into the woods ; and,
with their right half surrounding our left, they had
sent a heavy column down to the right of the road, as we
stood, forcing back our front, and temporarily holding
the guns of the battery which had been abandoned.
They had every reason to suppose, that according to all
the usages of warfare, having been driven from the
front, and repeatedly broken on the left flank, we
should see that we were outnumbered or outgeneraled
or out-fought, or beaten in some way, and fall back.
166 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
As we were not inclined to do as wo ought, re-
enforcements were sent for to compel us. A portion
of Johnston's army, which had been in full retreat, was
hastily summoned back. The exact position of our
forces having been ascertained, two lines of battle were
at once drawn up to attack us on the left flank and in
front at the same time.
Our skirmishers who had kept Fort Magruder's guns
silent, having been drawn in to be assigned to a new
position, the guns were again opened upon our lines,
throwing shot and shell by the right flank as fast as
they could be loaded and fired. Branches of trees cut
by the flying missiles fell upon and among the troops
as they stood or lay concealed behind trees and stumps.
The sharp-shooters of the enemy, hidden in trees or
behind fences, kept up a desultory fire ; the hostile col-
umns, numbering at least ten thousand men, were
advancing nearer and nearer ; the New-Jersey brigade
was already engaged, pouring in volley after volley in
splendid style, and literally mowing the enemy down
in ranks, as a farmer mows his grass ; the storm was
sweeping along the lines of the Excelsiors, and a few
pattering shot among the leaves and branches fore-
told that soon it must burst upon the first brigade
in all its fury. And in all its fury it did come ! In
one dense mass, through the woods and fields and
down the road, clad in blue coats, in black coats, and
in no coats, but most of them in broad-brimmed, light-
colored felt hats, the rebels came, and formed almost
within pistol-sliot of our line. Eye-witnesses assert
that some of their regiments bore the stars and stripes,
and others the white flag of truce. Be that as it
may, their faces were full of resolution; and they
COURAGE AND ADDRESS OF GEN. HOOKER. 167
had evidently determined to decide the fate of the
day by this assault.
Receiving our fire before theirs was delivered, they
were considerably staggered by it, and their line wavered
as though the men were about to break, but, at the
command and entreaties of their officers, they recovered
themselves, and crowded forward from tree to tree,
loading and firing with the utmost rapidity, shooting
down our officers and men, making gaps in our ranks,
which they hastened -at once to take advantage of, and
pressing ahead so firmly, and with such overwhelming
numbers, that at last they broke through and turned
the flank of one entire brigade. The men were ex-
hausted by cold and rain: they were covered with mud,
and wet up to the waist ; some of their cartridge-
boxes were empty ; and others could not fire because
the charges in their guns were saturated with moisture.
Nothing but the courage and address of Gen. Hooker
here saved his entire division from defeat, and hun-
dreds of his men from capture. The significant move-
ment to the rear had already begun. At first manage-
able, it would speedily have turned into a stampede, and
then become a panic. The general sat upon his well-
known charger in the centre of the road, immovable as
a rock. Bullets were flying about him like hail, and
cannon-balls throwing up the mud in columns. Once his
horse was wounded, and the general was dismounted in
the mire ; but, quickly springing to the back of another
animal, he rode this way and that, halting the disor-
ganized ranks, encouraging the despondent, rebuking
the cowardly, praising the brave, ordering and implor-
ing the men to stand as they were. At the same time,
a line of cavalry was posted across the road with drawn
168 THE FIIiST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
sabres, and commanded to cut down every im wounded
soldier who attempted to pass. The regiments had
been broken up, and even companies completely disor-
ganized. Officers without soldiers, and soldiers with-
out officers, stood for a moment in suspense and hesi-
tation, but then formed, as if actuated by a common
impulse ; and, as the rebels pressed forward to follow
up their advantage, turned upon them like a thunder-
bolt. Astonished, startled, and arrested in their career,
they ceased their yells, and looked for a minute to
see what it meant ; and then, as their own forces gath-
ered up behind them, like the accumulating waters of ||
a mighty torrent arrested midway by an immovable
dam, they poured in an angry, spiteful, and scattering
fire, which made a great deal of noise, but did very
little harm. At the same time, by command of Gen.
Heintzelman, the bands commenced playing national
airs, which cheered our half worn-out troops, and added
to the bewilderment of the enemy. And, better than
all, at the same time. Gen. Philip Kearney, and Gens.
Berry and Eirney came up, their men on the double-
quick, puffing and reeking with moisture, and spat-
tered all over with mud. They were welcomed with
tears of joy, which ran down over more than one
anxious and battle-stained cheek, as they splashed
eagerly along. They went upon the field as a stroiiii'
man rejoiceth to run a race. With irresistible impet-
uosity, but in long unbroken lines, they advanced,
pouring in volley after volley, throwing away knap-
sacks, overcoats, and blankets, crowding up into the
very faces of the rebels, who now stubbornly contested
the ground inch by inch, but forcii^g them back inch
by inch, and allowing the weary fellows who had borne
CONCLUSION OF THE BATTLE. 169
the brunt of the engagement to form in the rear as a
reserve, and see the work which they had so gallantly
begun as gallantly completed.
At the same time, a battery of twelve-pounder Napo-
leon guns, brought forward with almost incredible
labor, was planted in the road and field above the aba-
tis, and began to send spherical case and round shot
crashing through the forest into the disorganized ranks
of the retreating rebels. Faster and faster flew the
deadly missiles among them, as they withered and
melted away under the scorching volleys of Gen. Kear-
ney's division ; and at last they broke from the woods,
scattered in wild disorder over the plain, formed for a
few minutes behind the redoubts, and then fell back
towards the town, leaving their dead and wounded in
our hands, and the hard-fought field in our possession.
The artillery was immediately moved to secure the
range of their retiring forces, and prevent any at-
tempt at a stand on their part to retrieve their fal-
ling fortunes ; but, after a few rounds, no answer
was returned to our battery, and the roar of battle
ceased.
Why Gen. Hooker's single division, of not more
than ten thousand men, was allowed to bear the brunt
of eight hours' hard fighting with three times their
number of rebels, during this sanguinary engagement,
while at least forty thousand men were allowed to rest
on their arms, within hearing of the guns, without
firing a shot, is yet to be explained.
Repeated messages were sent back for re enforce-
ments, as before noon it had become apparent that we
could not hold our position without them ; but no
notice was taken of the call. To the credit of our
15
170 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
three brigades and every regiment composing them,
be it said, they did not yield a rod of their ground un-
til fairly forced back by numerical superiority. Until
one o'clock, the enemy had evidently supposed that the
woods, whose front line was occupied by our skirmish-
ers, were full of troops formed in lines of battle, await-
ing the order to assault. Numerous rounds of grape
and solid shot were directed at this imaginary army ;
all of which were thrown away. Determined to ascer-
tain, if possible, why we remained so pertinaciously
under cover, they advanced in force, in front and on
the left, with the result already described.
During all this time, it was raining without intermis-
sion, mud and water were knee deep ; and many of our
troops, having had nothing to eat for twenty-four hours,
nor slept much for forty-eight, were utterly exhausted.
But they would not give up. They had faith that the
enemy could be beaten, and would be beaten : in
fact, they were determined that he should be beaten.
In this they were fully sustained by their general and
other officers. Many of the officers took muskets,
rifles, or carabines, and mingled in the front rank
among their men, loading and firing with the rest.
In Gen. Daniel E. Sickles' brigade (the Excelsiors),
they had a new kind of gun, mounted on wheels, that
went with a crank, and discharged, perhaps, a hun-
dred balls a minute. These were energetically worked,
and did good execution. Most of the day the fight
had been almost entirely an infantry engagement.
Owing to the nature of the ground, cavalry was unser-
viceable ; and until the enemy en masse were approach-
ing, and leaving the woods, artillery had but little
effect upon them. At that time, however, it contrib-
1
THE STRUGGLE ON THE LEFT FLANK. 171
uted largely towards rendering their discomfiture final
and complete.
The most furious fighting of the day took place in
the woods on the left flank, where the attempt was
made to turn or surround our forces. From two
o'clock until nearly five the enemy held on here, pour-
ing in battalion after battalion of fresh men, who came
into line with triumphant shouts, as though victory
were already won. But they shouted too soon. With
an obstinacy and determination that nothing could
shake, our men received their onsets and maintained
their own position. It was the vital point of the battle ;
and around it pressed thousands on both sides, so near,
sometimes, as to see the color of each other's eyes. It
was a point we had never given up, although, in the
conflict over it, our lines had been contracted perhaps
one-half. It was a point we held when the re enforce-
ments arrived, and settled it decidedly in our favor.
Thenceforth it became the study of the enemy how
easiest to get off.
Meantime, upon our right. Gen. Peck, of Gen.
Keyes's corps, had been actively engaged for several
hours, fighting more in the open country bordering the
Yorktown Road, and without much loss on either side.
The enemy kept carefully concealed within his re-
doubts until near the close of the day, when Gen.
Hancock, having advanced his lines so, they supposed,
as to expose his rear, they prepared to make a detour,
and crush his forces between two attacks upon front and
rear at the same time. The artillery, being of little
service in such a condition of things, was hastily re-
moved ; and Keyes's men prepared to give the enemy
a proper reception. They came on, four thousand
172 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
strong ill infantry, with a regiment of cavalry to follow
up the assault. Before they had time to carry their
designs into execution, when not over two hundred
yards distant from our columns, Gen. Hancock placed
himself at the head of his ,men, and, waving his cap
ordered them to charge on the double-quick. The
order was obeyed with a will. The men threw them-
selves upon the enemy's front rank with such impetu-
osity as to scatter it in every direction, while those who
were in the rear broke, and fled for their lives.
In the confusion that ensued, over three hundred of
the enemy were cut off and captured, while our loss
did not exceed in killed, wounded, and missing, one
hundred. This decided the fate of the day on the
right. It was fast being decided upon the left. By
eight o'clock quiet reigned on both sides; and the
Union troops prepared to bivouac near the spot they
had so bravely held and obstinately defended. Never
can the writer forget the appearance of the soldiers, as
they stood in line in vicinity of their stacks, and pro-
ceeded to make ready for the night. Ninety-nine in a
hundred were young men, but they seemed in one day
to have grown prematurely old. Their faces were pale
and haggard ; their eyes preternaturally bright, with
dark half-circles underneath. Still quivering with ex-
citement, which it seemed impossible to repress ; shiver-
ing with cold, for they had been drenched to the skin
all day ; muddy, Hungry ; stooping with weariness,
but triumphant, and full of talk concerning the inci-
dents of the battle, — they hovered round their blazing
fires, drying their clotlies, or, with the least possible
exertion, prepared a resting-place, and threw them-
selves upon the ground for sleep.
. THE WOUNDED AND DYING. 173
The wounded had been temporarily accommodated
during the battle by tents at a field-hospital close by
where the fight was going on. Their wounds were in-
flicted mostly by solid shot and shell, and were of a
serious character. Loss of blood, and the wet condi-
tion of every thing, made them very cold ; and in every
direction they were sliivering as if in ague-fits. Stimu-
lants were freely administered, but they did not seem
to produce much heat ; and finally it was resolved to
move them to some sort of shelter. With considera-
ble difficulty an old barn and house, two miles to the
rear, were obtained ; and thither, one by one, they were
carried on stretchers, in blankets, or ambulances, while
such as could walk hobbled along painfully on foot.
From the barn all the doors and one end were gone,
and the house was so dilapidated that it threatened
momentarily to fall down.
Ere long all the floors were covered with prostrate
and bleeding forms, to whom every attention was paid
as fast as possible : the worst cases always receiving it
first. An impression may prevail that surgeons are
eager to perform amputations, and frequently remove
limbs, which, by suitable attention, might be saved.
Nothing could be more erroneous. During and after
a battle, surgeons are kept so busy that they avoid
all the capital operations they possibly can, so as to
gain time to relieve miseries of an inferior degree.
Only when it is a question between limb and life, or
when the limb, if saved, would prove useless and an
encumbrance, do they determine upon its removal.
Frequently may be seen half a dozen or more surgeons
in consultation while a battle is going on, and the
wounded being brought in by scopes, to see if some
15*
174 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
measures cannot be devised by which limbs can be
saved . \
Early on the morning of the 6th, scouts reported
that the enemy had evacuated Williamsburg during
the night, leaving all their wounded, besides all our
wounded they had captured, several guns, tents, bar-
racks, some stores, and their entire line of works, in
our hands. Details from the different companies were
at once ordered out to scour the battle-field, and bring
in the wounded of both sides, should any be found.
The field presented a sight revolting and bloody in the
extreme. Dead and wounded lay about in every con-
ceivable posture and condition, most of them covered
with mud and blood combined. As the tide of battle
ebbed and flowed through the woods and across the
abatis, first the rebels would hold our ground, then we
would hold theirs, consequently friend and foe were
mixed up together, and frequently lay in death side
by side. Many could be seen also in the same attitude
in which they had fallen, — their hands extended, as if
holding up a musket ; one arm raised high above the
head, as though ramming down a charge; or a hand
stretched out, holding forward a cap or a sword. Scat-
tered over an area covering three or four miles square,
dotting ravines obscure and shady, crowning summits
bold and open, or crouched in ditches, close together,
by the dozen, they lay harmless enough then, shot
through head or body, and no more to battle for
Union or Disunion. They were buried, not side by
side, but friends with friends and foes with foes ; and,
where it was possible to ascertain their names, their
graves were carefully marked, and they were left to
their everlasting sleep. It was not long before the
WILLIAMSBURG. 175
victorious troops, singly and by squads, were investi-
gating the condition of tilings in Williamsburg. Being
tlie oldest incorporated town in Virginia, — situated on
elevated land midway between the James and York
Rivers, surrounded by farms capable of producing
vegetables, cereals, and fruits, in the greatest abun-
dance,— it enjoyed advantages of soil, site, and climate,
apparent at once. It was first settled in 1632, and
in 1698 became the seat of the Colonial Government.
It is regularly laid out, with streets intersecting each
other at right angles ; and can boast some public build-
ings and private mansions of considerable architectural
elegance. Before the war, its population numbered
over two thousand, a large proportion of whom were
blacks. Most of the white people were thorough-going
out-and-out secessionists, puffed up with an insane idea
of their own importance, and credulous of the most
absurd stories concerning the rapacity, degradation,
and cruelty of Yankees. During Sunday and Monday,
they remained quietly at home, comforting themselves
with the belief that the Southern army could not
be defeated, and that they could dispose of such of our
wounded as we might leave behind after the fashion
of Blackburn's Ford and the first Bull Bun : but, when
they beheld Johnston's broken columns hurrying
through the streets in full retreat, dreadful conster-
nation seized them ; and a large number, gathering
hastily together all their valuables that were portable,
took to flight in the direction of Richmond, while
others bolted their doors, closed their shutters, fast-
ened their windows, and betook themselves to the back
rooms of their domiciles, filled with the most dismal
forebodings of coming atrocities, which they had been
176 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
repeatedly assured the " Hessian mudsills " would as-
suredly perpetrate. Finding themselves unmolested as
to person and property, however, they ventured gradu-
ally to come forth ; and a few silly girls and senseless
women made a parade of their personal antipathies in
the hospitals and on the streets, by doing every thing
they could for the Rebel wounded, and as little as they
could for the Union wounded ; taking special pains to
avoid contact, even of dress, with any one wearing
the army blue. Their folly reacted only upon them-
selves ; for they were compelled to treat our soldiers
courteously, or remain at home. Even their own
friends in the rebel army rebuked them for carrying
things with such a high hand, making them see that
they were doing the Southern cause more harm than
good.
In Williamsburg, besides many empty private houses,
and the Episcopalian, Methodist, and Baptist churches,
were a lunatic asylum, female seminary, and the build-
ings of William's and Mary's College ; so that the
wounded of both sides were provided with ample ac-
commodations. As fast as they could bear removal,
however, they were conveyed to the hospital steamers
"Commodore" and "Daniel Webster," for transporta-
tion to Fortress Monroe ; where, with fine quarters, a
cooling breeze from the ocean, the best of nursing, and ,
plenty of every thing needed for cure or comfort, they ')
became rapidly convalescent.
It was truly refreshhig to meet in this old and dilap-
idated town, where nearly every thing had gone to
seed, one prominent Virginia lawyer. Judge Bowden,
whom neither arguments, persuasions, nor threats
could make recreant to his constitutional obligations,
UNFLINCHING LOYALTY IN VIRGINIA. Ill
or force to swerve a hair from his loyalty to the Union.
Occupying a handsome modern residence on the prin-
cipal street, and being a well-known public man
throughout the vicinity, his stubborn adherence to
the National Administration made him peculiarly ob-
noxious to the fire-eaters, comprising, at this time, the
main bulk of the rebel army ; and once he was obliged
to fly for his life. Several times the excited soldiery
gathered round his mansion, shouting, "Lynch him!"
"Tar and featlier him ! " " Hang him! " " Shoot him! "
" Kill him ! " " Pull his house down ! " " Burn it up! "
and so forth : several shots had been fired at it, and
windows smashed with stones ; but generally officers
who were personal acquaintances had succeeded in
pacifying or controlling the mob before they had pro-
ceeded to extremities, and thus saved him. It can
easily be understood wherefore he wept tears of joy as
he saw the stars and stripes borne along in front of his
house by our victorious ranks, and why he said that
our first volleys, on the field below Williamsburg,
made the sweetest music he ever heard in his life.
He openly entertained the field and staff officers of the
First Regiment while it was doing provost-duty in
Williamsburg ; and, though surrounded by secession
neighbors, made no secret of his unqualified support
of the Union. The professors and students of Wil-
liam's and Mary's College had been scattered by the
war, many of them serving in the rebel ranks ; so that
no classes were in session during our occupancy of the
town. The institution was founded in 1693, and, just
before the war, had a president, five professors, one
hundred students, and a library of fifty-three thousand
volumes. Presidents Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and
178 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Tyler were graduates from its halls; and Chief-Justice
Marshall and Lieut.-Gren. Scott were once among its
students.
It is supposed to have been Gen. McClellan's origi-
nal intention to move his army up on both sides of 1
the James River, and assault the rebel capital on the
north or south, according to circumstances ; but the
presence of the iron-clad " Merrimack" in the James
frustrated this plan, and compelled the selection of
the York River for a base of operations, instead of the
James. On the next day succeeding the battle of Wil-
liamsburg, therefore, a large portion of the Union
forces, comprising the corps of Gens. Sumner and
Franklin, embarked on board transports at Yorktown,
and proceeded up York River to a place known as
West Point, where tlie Mattapony and Pamunkey Rivers
come together, and combine to make the York. No
doubt it would have been grateful to the commanding
general could the fight at Williamsburg have been
delayed a day or two, and Johnston's army induced to
tarry until the troops of Sumner and Franklin could
have cut across the flank of the rebel lines from West
Point, and come down on the left bank of the Chicka-
hominy in their rear ; but they were pressed so hard
by Gens. Stoneman with the cavalry, and Heintzel-
man and Keyes with their artillery and infantry, that
they made a virtue of necessity, and fell back along
their whole lines. The troops of the rebel Generals
Whitney and Smith, who had retreated from Yorktown
along the York River to West Point, before they start-
ed on the morning of the 7th, made a feint of assaulting
the Union position, and poured in an annoying fire
from the dense woods where they were posted, which
RETREAT OF THE REBEL ARMY. 179
lasted several hours. Every effort was made to draw
them out upon the open plain, but without avail ; and
they were shelled out of their lurking-places by the
gunboats, which just then opportunely arrived, while
our forces immediately occupied the ground. The
whole body of the rebels then fell back behind the
Chickahominy, their left occupying Whitehouse until
May 10, when they were ousted by Gen. Stoneman, and
fell back upon Cold Harbor, Mechanicsville, and New
Bridge, successively. During their retreat from York-
town, until they were driven into and beyond Rich-
mond, large quantities of military property, secreted
or abandoned by them, were found hidden in barns
under the hay, stowed away in houses some distance
from the roads, or strewed along their line of march ;
and every thing evinced their disheartened and demor-
ahzed condition. From towns and villages along the
route most of the store-keepers had fled, taking their
goods with them ; and those who remained utterly re-
fused to have any thing to do with rebel money. Some
of the inhabitants told strange stories to our men of
their individual experience, showing, that, even then,
Jeff. Davis had begun that relentless system of con-
scription and appropriation which robbed the South
not only of its best young men, but also of its pro-
ductions and resources, in a most unscrupulous and
suicidal manner. The official list of killed, wounded,
and missing belonging to the Massachusetts First,
at the battle of Williamsburg, is hereto subjoined.
Although the regiment was constantly under fire, they
were spread over so broad an extent of territory in
doing duty as skirmishers, that they were less exposed
180 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
to casualty than if they had been drawn up in two
ranks as during ordinary fighting : —
Killed. — Company A : Private Curtis W. Grover,
Barrington. Company B : Private James Redding,
East Boston. Company D : Orderly-Sergeant Charles
A. Brazier, West Boxbury ; Private Warren B. Shack-
ley, Boxbury. Company E : Private George W. Bur-
ditt, probably of Milton. Company F : Private William
W. Stone, Charlestown. Company I : Private William
R. Benson, Newton Corner.
Wounded, — Company A : Joseph Francis, mor-
tally ; John T. Robinson, severely ; John H. Whitney,
severely ; Benjamin F. Pierce, severely ; George A.
Bailey, slightly ; Charles D. Griggs, slightly ; Wm. J.
Manery, slightly ; John Abrams, slightly ; Frank
Getchell, slightly.
Company B : Henry H. Brown, slightly ; Edwin G.
Brown, slightly.
Company C : Sergeant Amasa Johnson, severely ;
William C. Hatch, severely ; George W. Campbell,
slightly.
Company D : Nelson Taylor, lost left arm ; John
W. Fairbanks, severely; Samuel A. Fillebrown, se-
verely.
Company E: Capt. Clark B. Baldwin, slightly;
John S. Wilcutt, severely ; William 0. Young, se-
verely ; James A. Lakin, slightly ; James D. Leather-
bee, slightly.
Company F: First Lieutenant George E. Henry,
slightly; Corporal George Stevens, Jr., dangerously,
subsequently died.
Company G : William S. Hoyt, slightly.
Company I: Augustus P. Goodridge, slightly; Ser-
CASUALTIES. 181
geant Andrew Bertram, severely, subsequently died ;
Jeremiah Crowell, slightly.
Company K : Charles B. McCausland, severely ;
C. W. Hathaway, severely ; Lewis Bird, slightly ;
Harrison Whittemore, slightly.
Missing. — Company F: William T. Leary. Com-
pany G: William T. Gray, Samuel Bitch. Com-
pany I : Benjamin Wheeler.
Recapitulation. — Seven killed, thirty-two wound-
ed, four missing, — total, forty-three.
16
CHAPTER YII.
POPLAR HILL, WHITE-OAK SWAMP, AND FAIR OAKS.
" Alp turned from the sickening sight away:
Never had shaken his nerves in fight ;
But he better could brook to behold the dying,
Deep in the tide of their warm blood lying,
Scorched Avith the death-thirst, and writhing in vain,
Than the perishing dead who are past all pain.
There is something of pride in the pei'ilous hour,
Whate'er be the shape in which death may lower;
For Fame is there to say who bleeds,
And Honor's eye 's on daring deeds !
But, when all is past, it is humbling to tread
O'er the weltering field of the tombless dead,
And see worms of the earth, and fowls of the air,
Beasts of the forest, all gathering there, —
All regarding man as their prey:
All rejoicing in his decay." — Byron,
GENERAL GROYER'S brigade was detailed for
provost-dutj in and around Williamsburg on the
8th of May, and remained until the 15th. Lieut.-Col.
George D. Wells, of the First, was appointed provost-
marshal, and found plenty to do in the place, trans-
ferring prisoners and the wounded to the York River,
enforcing respect for the United-States authorities from
the inhabitants of the town, and bringing order and
system out of the confused and chaotic condition of
things which prevailed immediately after the battle.
In an old town like Williamsburg, one would expect
to see many quaint and curious things. The soldiers,
previous to their departure, seem to have found several.
^"--^ t^^
THE CEMETERY AT WILLIAMSBURG. 1S3
There is only space to copy the following epitaphs,
from stones in the venerable grave-yard : —
This, from Ms departed wife to her living husband, —
•• Like as the bud nipt off the tree,
So death has parted you and me.
Therefore, dear Husband. I you beseech.
Be satisfied, for I am rich.''
This, from another husband to his departed wife, —
•• If woman erer yet did -well.
If -woman ever did exceL
If woman husband e'er adored.
If woman ever loved the Lord,
If ever faith, and hope, and love
In human flesh did live and move,
If all the graces e'er did meet —
In her. in her they were complete.''
This, from another husband, who was inconsolable at
the loss of liis wife, and died shortly after, and was
buried beside her. —
•■ My Anne, mv all. mv ancrel wife.
My dearest one. my love, my life. —
I cannot say or sigh fkreweU.
But where thou dwellest. I will dweU,"
On Thursday, the loth of May. with rations for two
days, the march was resumed ; a troop of cavalry
having been ordered to relieve the brigade, and do
provost-duty in its place. The majority seemed re-
luctant to leave Williamsburg, having found their
proximity to comparative civilization decidedly more
agreeable than roughing it in the woods and fields,
or bivouackius: bv the wavside.
184 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
The march from Williamsburg was of the most
wearisome description, and great difficulty was ex-
perienced in keejDing the men from straggling. For
the first half a dozen miles, all would keep up very
well ; but as each man carried knapsack, haversack,
overcoat, canteen, gun, and sixty rounds of cartridges,
weighing, in all, nearly forty pounds, one and another
would give out. It was a sorrowful sight to see them
lagging, straggling, and almost falling down in the
road, from sheer exhaustion ; but a sight presented
day after day, and for which there was no remedy.
The condition of the roads was one cause of this ;
for they were rough and muddy : in fact, nothing
more than ditches cut through forest, field, and
swamp, without drainage or gutter on either side,
into which, as to a common sewer, ran all the
streams and springs on either side.
In the woods, all along the road, the underbrush
was burned by the rebels, and in places the way ob-
structed by prostrate trees. For miles on miles, the
charred trunks and blackened surface of the ground
showed how careful and laborious had been the prepa-
rations made for desperate fighting, as our troops ad-
vanced ; but it all came to naught. We passed on
without the crack of a hostile rifle to keep the
troops on the alert and stragglers closer to the main
body.
The country through which the column moved was
remarkable aUke for its beauty and fertility, and in
l^roper hands might be made a Paradise. But nearly
every thing, — houses, farms, stock, and people, —
looked ragged and seedy ; and a new race was evi-
dently needed to save the land from sinking into a
wilderness.
ABVAXCE OF THE ABMY. 185
New-Kent Court House, about which at this time so
much was said, was a common, six-windowed brick
building, capable of seating perhajos eighty persons.
Outside and in, it looked dingy, shabby, and dreary.
The jail within a few feet of it had been destroyed
by fire ; but the registry on the other side was spared.
It may be a famous place for Virginia, but in New
England would never get two looks from a traveller.
Gen. McClellan having resolved to make White-
house, on the Pamunkey River, his base of supphes, and
the York-River Railroad his method of communica-
tion, concentrated nearly the whole of his army, on the
14tli, at Cumberland, about midway between West
Point and Whitehouse. Resting there a couple of
days, it then moved forward to its final destination,
before uniting in the grand general advance upon
Richmond.
Along the Pamunkey were found herds of cattle
and flocks of sheep, abandoned by the rebels in their
precipitate retreat behind the Chickahominy ; and
all these fell into our hands without firing a gun.
Hours and days of valuable time were consumed in
constructing roads through swampy grounds, and
bridges across ravines, strong enough to hold the
numerous and heavy trains passing over them ; but on
the 19th, with Heintzelman and Keyes on the left,
Sumner in the centre, and Franklin and Porter on the
right, the whole army began to move.
At Baltimore Cross-roads, — an insignificant corner
containing one house and one store, each with a single
room, and both empty, — the regiment halted a couple
of days, and were visited by Messrs. Gaskin, Mayor of
Roxbury, Worthington, of the " Boston Traveller,"
16*
185 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Little and Morse, of Roxbury, and Jones, of Chelsea.
Some opposition was made to the passage of the Chicka-
hominy at Bottom's Bridge, but it amounted to noth-
ing; and after crossing it late on the night of the 23d,
and for a couple of days acting as a support for Gen.
Naglee's brigade, the regiment marched through a
portion of White-oak Swamp to an elevated lot of
ground known as Poplar Hill, and went into camp on
Sunday afternoon, May 25.
The march across the Chickahominy at Bottom's
Bridge was close upon the heels of the enemy ; and all
one day the brigade lay two miles beyond in a dense
wood by the roadside, expecting momentarily the rat-
tle of musketry, or the heavy boom of big guns.
Bottom's Bridge, which had been destroyed by the
rebels. Gen. McClellan replaced by three bridges, two
of them almost exactly like tliose which Caesar built
during his celebrated campaigns in Gaul centuries
ago. The Chickahominy at this spot was a mere
creek, about sixty feet wide and ten deep, and its
appearance did very little credit to its name and fame.
AH about was the much-talked of White-oak Swamp,
deriving its name from numerous bogs and white-oak
trees with which it abounds. It was by no means one
vast and uninterrupted swamp, but boasted extensive
table-lands, hne farms, beautiful meadows, and forests
of heavy timber.
There was swamp enough, however, to make it very
dangerous and disagreeable to the traveller, and quite
impassable to army trains and artillery, unless over a
road carefully pre[)ared especially for them.
In this swamp, tlie whole of Ileintzelman's corps was
encamped.
^
DEPLETION OF THE REGIMENT. 187
The liealth of the troops now began to be much
affected, owing to unusual labor, heat, exposure, want
of proper food and rest, and the malarial atmosphere
they were compelled constantly to breathe.
In the First Regiment, out of a thousand men who
left Boston less than a year before, not over six hun-
dred remained capable of military duty. Camp-life,
hard marches, guard duty, exposure to rain and
cold, sleeping on the ground, short rations, and dis-
regard of the laws of health, operated to reduce our
number almost one-half. But a few over fifty had
been killed or wounded in battle, the rest becoming
incapable of service on account of disease.
About this time, Joseph Harper, of Company A, and
Duniel W. Hale, of Company C, died in the hospital.
Harper was taken sick with typhoid-fever in camp
beyond Williamsburg ; and, being left behind when the
regiment was ordered forward, he rapidly sank, until,
in a few days, he was past all human aid.
Hale was thrown from a wagon which he was driv-
ing over a very rough and muddy road, causing the
dislocation of his hip, and severe internal injuries.
He was several times moved before he finally reached
Fortress Monroe, where at last, too weak and ex-
hausted to rally, he soon died.
Many a harrowing scene of sickness and intense
suifering did the woods and houses all along the route
our army took present ; where single men, men in
couples, threes, or squads, had straggled from the
ranks, and, utterly worn down with previous sickness,
or oppressed with the symptoms of that fast approach-
ing, had lain down with feelings half of relief, half
despair, to meet and bear the worst.
188 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMEXT.
So far as possible, they were sought, and located
together in some deserted building, temporarily trans-
formed into a hospital, and a surgeon detailed to
attend them ; but occasionally poor fellows wandered
off, alone or in company, foodless, shelterless, to die far
from home, friends, and help.
At Poplar Hill, the time of the men was occupied in
daily reconnoissances in direction of the enemy, Rich-
mond being only six miles distant, and the corps of
Heintzelman and Keyes the only ones across the river.
Occasionally a deserter was brought in, or a picket
captured ; and every morning, between three and four
o'clock, the men stood in line prepared for an assault.
On the 27th, we heard the first guns of any direct
assault upon the enemy's position from Gen. Morell's
division, on the extreme right, in the vicinity of Han-
over Court House. The enemy were here met by a
brigade under Gen. Butterfield, and completely routed,
who, following up his advantage, was in turn attacked
in the rear by an overwhelming force of the rebels,
whom he succeeded in keeping at bay until they were
flanked on the left, when they took refuge in a
dense wood, and fell back towards Richmond. The
railroad was entirely torn up by our forces, six hun-
dred prisoners captured, several cannon and numer-
ous small arms taken, with a loss of only three liundred
and fifty killed and wounded ; while the total rebel loss
must have been over twelve hundred.
This brisk preliminary engagement led to a series of
daily skirmishes between the two armies, in which the
advantage would rest first on one side and then on the
other. Finally, on the 31st of May, the Chickahominy
having been raised several feet by a severe rain-
^1
FIERCE ATTACK OF THE REBELS. 189
storm, which contmned without intermission for ten
hours, Gen. Johnston decided to attack the Union
left. If it was a bad time for us, owing to the appa-
rent impossibility of our recrossing the Chickahominy
in case of a defeat, it was an equally bad time for him,
inasmuch as the forces of Gen. Huger, upon whom he
greatly depended, got mired with their wagons and
artillery, and could not extricate themselves during
the whole day. The rebels at this time had been
largely re enforced ; and if the troops under Smith and
Huger had been able to reach their flanking positions
on our right and left, through the swamp, no doubt
they would have overwhelmed Keyes, and captured or
destroyed his entire corps. But the rain, upon which
they depended to render the Chickahominy impassable,
had operated more in our favor than against us. One
of its bridges still remained ; and over this the divi-
sions of Sedgwick and Richardson were safely conveyed
to the field before the close of the fight, while Huger
and his battalions were still floundering about in the
mud of White-oak Swamp. After waiting from day-
light till noon, the forces of Longstreet and Hill made
a fierce and sudden attack upon Casey's division, just
as the men were eating their dinner. A tremendous
volley of musketry, followed by a bayonet-charge along
the whole line, scattered the One Hundred and Third
Pennsylvania, who were deployed as skirmishers, in a
moment, and brought the rebels upon a line of men,
half of whom, ten minutes before, had been crouching
over cook-fires, or lying asleep in their shelter-tents.
Of course the entire front was broken, and gave way
in utter confusion. Camps, tents, stores, baggage,
guns, clothing, were left ; and, while the enemy were
I
190 THE FIB ST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
temporarily checked by the plunder thus exposed, the
line was re-formed near a redoubt in the rear, with an
extensive range of rifle-pits on the wings. Casey's
men forced back the rebel van upon their main body.
But the main body came along with unbroken columns,
receiving spherical case and canister, which opened
long furrows in their lines, and volleys of musketry
before which whole companies withered and sank,
without shrinking from them, but closed up so rap-
idly, and pressed on so vigorously, that Casey was
compelled to fall back, after three hours' hard fighting,
upon the division of Gen. Couch; and Couch, in turn,
upon the divisions of Gens. Kearney and Hooker,
which, with the exception of Gen. Grover's brigade,
left behind to hold Poplar Hill at all hazards, were
hastily sent for about noon.
Heintzelman found himself confronted by Smith's
rebel corps, which, commanded by Johnston in person,
had just arrived on the field. Though greatly out-
numbered, he gave them battle at once, falling gradu-
ally back to secure a better position ; when Sedgwick's
and Richardson's divisions of Gen. Sumner's corps
began to arrive, and a new allignment was made.
Just at this time. Gen. Johnston was mortally wound-
ed by a shell, which threw the rebels into great
confusion, and completely demoralized their left. De-
termined to pursue their advantage, however, they
charged thrice, with desperate energy, up to the very
muzzles of the few cannon which could be got into po-
sition, but as often recoiled and broke under the mur-
derous rounds of canister which they received. Gen.
McClellan now ordered his troops to assume the offen-
sive, and along the entire line the rebels were slowly
GALLANTRY OF GEN. HO WARD. 191
forced back, leaving their dead and wounded in our
hands. The fight continued at intervals till long after
dark, and the Union troops finally bivouacked upon
the ground the enemy had held nearly all the after-
noon.
At daybreak the next morning, Sunday, June 1, the
three Union corps vrere ordered forward simulta-
neously. Their course lay through woods, thickets,
fields, and morasses. They encountered the enemy at
the start, receiving a severe and well-directed fire,
which was returned with a will ; and our men, loading
as they advanced, pushed rapidly forward. In places,
the ground was so broken, or the water so deep, that
it was utterly impossible to keep soldiers in a line,
and, to an ordinary observer, they might have seemed
disorganized ; but it was not so. Waist deep in the
treacherous bog, or separated half a dozen paces by
the dense undergrowth, they kept pushing along. It
was here that Gen. Howard displayed such signal gal-
lantry. Two horses had been shot under him, and
twice he had received rifle-balls in his right arm ; but,
binding up the shattered limb with a handkerchief, he
utterly refused to leave his men ; and, following his
splendid example, they pressed on amid a din of mus-
ketry and cannon perfectly deafening, and bore down
every thing before them.
The Irish brigade also, under Meagher, made one
of their famous bayonet-charges, before which, unless
broken by artillery, a line of battle could no more
.stand than it could stand before an avalanche. Ditch-
es, brooks, fences, bushes, bullets, wounds, death,
these men, after they had got started and their blood
was up, minded no more than a tap with a shillalah..
192 THE FIRST MASSAC?IUSETTS REGIMENT.
Other men charged bravely, sternly, impetuously ; but
the Irish rushed on rejoicingly. They really made the
awful work of war seem, in part, mirthful and ludi-
crous.
The New- Jersey brigade, in the swamp to the left of
the Williamsburg Road, encountered some of Hu-
ger's troops who failed to appear on the day pre-
ceding. The enemy here made a bold stand, and ap-
peared fresh and active ; but the regular and rapid
volleys which were poured in upon them from the
Jersey rifles, and for which this brigade was so famous,
made the place too hot for endurance, and they sul-
lenly retired with the rest.
The Excelsior brigade, under command of Gen.
Daniel E. Sickles, was in line with the New Jerseys.
Dissatisfied with the retirement of the preceding day,
and burning to avenge the slaughter of their comrades
at Williamsburg, the men were chafed and uneasy un-
der the gradual and steady advances at first being
made. They longed to come to close quarters. The
order to fix bayonets was received, therefore, with an
eagerness ominous of disaster to the rebels ; and the
charge that followed commenced with a cheer that
rang over tlie fields far above the roar of conflict.
Here and there a squad of the rebels, under good
cover, endeavored to stem the rapid advance ; but the
main body took counsel from their fears, and scattered
through the forest in the utmost disorder. In every
direction, now, the day was ours. On both sides of the
railroad, from the centre to the extremities of both
wings, the enemy were routed and in rapid retreat.
Down the Williamsburg Turnpike, across the fields,
through the plundered camps of Casey and Couch,
II
THE FIELD AFTER THE BATTLE. 193
they ran, without regard to organization, leaving us
over a thousand prisoners, with a better position than
we held before, and Gen. Sumner's corps transferred
to and intrenched on the south side of the Chicka-
hominy.
The entire Union loss was between five and six
thousand killed, wounded, and missing, with several
thousand muskets, nearly a dozen pieces of artillery,
and a considerable amount of supplies. The rebel
loss in men was equally large, but nothing in material.
The battle-field presented an awful and sickening spec-
tacle to the beholder. At least two thousand men lay
dead where they fell ; and four times that number of
wounded were being gathered up on stretchers as fast
as possible, and borne away. Five hundred slaugh-
tered horses lay singly and in heaps where they were
shot. Trees shot through and shot off, muskets, broken
wagons, abandoned caissons, cartridge-boxes, blankets,
overcoats, haversacks, canteens, knapsacks, and in the
plundered camps, letters, paper, envelopes, clothing,
commissaries' supplies, and quartermasters' stores, were
strewn about in the utmost profusion. Fences had
been prostrated, and fields laid waste ; houses emptied,
torn down, or set on fire; roads cut up; and the whole
country made one vast aceldama, or field of blood.
The battle was known variously as that of Fair
Oaks, or Seven Pines. It was called "Fair Oaks"
from a place on the York-River Railroad, near where
it commenced, distinguished for the size and beauty
of its white-oak trees ; and " Seven Pines " from
another place on the Richmond and Williamsburg
Turnpike, where it raged the hottest, equally famous
once for seven gigantic pines,
11
194 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
It was now resolved to transfer Casey's division to
Poplar Hill, and the whole of Hooker's division to
White-oak Swamp.
If this movement had been followed, early in June,
by a combined assault upon the Richmond defences, it
is generally believed that the city would have been
evacuated, and many valuable lives saved to us which
the swamp-fever destroyed. But it was not so to
be.
On Wednesday, June 4th, the regiment removed to
a position on the Williamsburg Road, nearly in the
centre of White-oak Swamp.
Tliis famous region was formed mainly by the
Chickahominy and its branches, and covered an area
immediately south of the York-River Railroad, ten
miles in length, and five, at least, in breadth.
The Chickahominy has eight or ten tributaries,
among which are tlie Horse-pen Branch, Rocky
Branch, North Run, and Brook Run, rising within ten
miles north-west of Richmond, in a rough, barren
country, entirely unfit for cultivation. In the vicinity
of White-oak Swamp, it is a narrow, turbid stream,
abounding in quicksands, and moving with opaque,
sluggish current to its junction with the James. The
swamp itself extends nearly to James River, and is
traversed by but very few roads. The region abounds
with vegetation ; but during the warm weather it is'
scarcely inhabitable, owing to miasmatic diseases.
When the army was encamped there, the entire
region was inundated by the severe and unusual rains.
The Chickahominy, in portions, had ceased to be a
river, and seemed like a vast lake. The roads, in
every direction, were little better than ditches, and
WHITE-OAK SWAMP. 195
were quite unserviceable until they were all cordu-
royed. The ground had been excavated in many
parts to form redoubts, or make lines of rifle-pits.
The plains, during and after a rain, were one compact
surface of glutinous mire. In dry weather, they were
baked hard by the intense heat of the sun, showing
only here and there stagnant puddles, covered with a
green slime.
Thousands of dead bodies of animals and men,
some under ground, but more above, covered with
from three to six inches of earth only, filled the air
with an insufferable stench, which, with the exhalations
rising from putrid water and decaying vegetable mat-
ter, soon began to tell on the health of the men.
They were also compelled to drink water in frequent
instances flowing from brooks and streams where
wounded men had fallen and died, or where the dead
had been buried without proper consideration ; and
this but added to the prevalent depression of strength
and spirits. It seems hardly credible, but hundreds
could attest, that the first night Gen. Grover's brigade
went out on picket, knowing nothing about the condi-
tion of the ground, the reserves slept upon their arms
wherever they could find a spot, and in the morning
discovered that their nearest companions had been
the bloated and maggoty bodies of dead soldiers, lying
yet uncovered where they had been shot down ; and
that the disgusting vermin from their putrefying car-
casses had found its way under their own blankets, or
clothing, and even among their rations. Many and
many a relief-squad stumbled over what they supposed
to be the sleeping form of some soldier utterly worn
out, and too exhausted to move, whom morning revealed
196 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
locked in the arms of a sleep that knows no earthly-
waking. During the hurry of battle, no attention can
be paid to the killed, and little to the wounded, except
by members of the ambulance-corps, or soldiers spe-
cially ordered to convey them to the rear. Artillery
is frequently driven, and cavalry obliged to charge,
over the dead, therefore ; and, in one instance, the
writer saw a corduroy road constructed over a grave,
from which the heavy teams caused a half fleshless
arm with clinched fingers to protrude between the
logs, as if in solemn menace at the drivers for their
sacrilege. In and around the White-oak Swamp
camping-ground of the First lay bodies by the dozen.
Black, festering, and alive with worms, it was impossi-
ble to move or touch them ; and they could only be
covered where they lay. During one forenoon, twenty-
nine of these were thus disposed of, in the midst of an
odor so rank and nauseous, that members of the work-
ing party were obliged to go away and vomit in spite of
every effort to prevent it. Day and night the atmos-
phere was charged with a fetor stronger than any
bilge-water that was ever taken from a vessel's hold ;
and at times it became so powerful and penetrating,
that nothing but inflexible military discipline kept the
men where they were obliged to endure it.
The wounds of hundreds, too much injured to help
themselves, and upon whom proper care had not been
or could not be bestowed immediately after the battle,
became fly-blown, and infested with maggots, and pre-
sented the revolting spectacle of men still breathing,
and, if attended to, likely to recover, being devoured
alive by worms ! Added to this was a daily routine of
duty hard enough to break down the firmest constitu-
tions.
WHITE-OAK SWAMP. 197
From the 1st to the 12th of June extensive siege-
works were in progress, designed to accommodate the
heaviest breaching-guns, and therefore made very
strong. Upon these, large fatigue-parties were con-
stantly employed. The pickets were engaged in almost
uninterrupted skirmishing, which led to frequent day
and night alarms, when the whole line would be called
out at the sound of the bugle, armed and ready for bat-
tle. Regularly before dayliglit, the men were obliged
to leave their tents, and form under arms to prevent a
surprise, and every third day leave camp, and take
their turn on picket. Knowing the exact position of
our forces, the enemy had a practice of shelling them
daily during the forenoon or afternoon ; and all who
remained about the tents got as accustomed to the whir
of solid shot, the scream of shells, and the sonorous
plunge of cannister among the branches and leaves,
as to the plaintive and bewitching cries of quail in the
early morning, or the saddening notes of the whippoor-
will during the long and silent nights. Every morn-
ing and night, to neutralize malaria, and keep the men
strong and cheerful amid their exposures and hard-
ships, a ration of whiskey was served out in all the
camps. Few were sturdy enough in their adhesion to
temperance principles to refuse it ; some endured it as
a medicine ; but the majority received it as a matter of
course, just as they would a ration of coffee. There
was some doubt as to its propriety, and whether, on the
whole, it had a salutary physical effect. Its moral in-
fluence was undeniably disastrous ; and, if its sanitary
administration be one of the indispensable concomi-
tants of war, that alone furnishes a strong reason why
war should in future be avoided.
17*
198 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Picket-lifo in Wliitc-oak Swamp was diversified, and
full of incident. Some regiments when engaged in
this duty were as quiet as when in camp. Others would
begin to fire the moment their men were posted, and
keep it up for twenty-four hours, until they were re-
lieved. As a general thing, the rebels were inclined to
remain quiet if our men did ; but they would not endure
being fired upon without retaliation. Eeconnoissances
in force were frequent on both sides, which for a short
time had all the appearance of a brisk engagement,
but generally ended by the withdrawal of both parties
to their original position.
Feints were not uncommon among the enemy, when
they would approach our lines with colors flying, on
the quick step, deliver a volley or so, and then turn off
sharply to the right or left, repeating the same experi-
ment there. Constant watchfulness along the whole
line prevented them from ever reaping any advantage
from these- attempts, even had they expected to.
The pickets were so near together, that now and
then, at night, they got intermixed. Two rebel officers
were captured on one occasion, owing in part to such
a mistake. They were out posting their own pickets,
and, desirous of a stroll, ventured a little beyond the
line guarded by our men. Two of them laid down in
the bushes until the backs of the officers were turned,
and then, instead of firing, started up, halted their cap-
tives, and marched them inside the picket reserves. As
soon as their absence was discovered, a furious fire was
opened from the rebel side ; but it was returned with
such vigor and precision, that it soon ceased, and this
bitter dose of Yankee shrewdness and ingenuity was
gwallowcd as quietly as possible.
PROMOTIONS. 199
Among the " sensations" on the picket line was the
arrival there one day of a newsboy from Richmond,
with copies for sale of the papers published that very
morning in the rebel capital. His papers were easily
enough disposed of ; but, as it was supposed that he
might be a scout or spy, he was not allowed to make
any observations among the camps, and before night
was sent back whence he had come. Along certain
portions of the line, the rebel pickets no doubt received
instructions to be civil to our men ; for on certain
days they were unusually social and communicative,
offering to trade tobacco for coffee, whiskey, and North-
ern papers, and generally representing that they were
on short rations, and in various ways ill-treated.
' About the middle of June, several promotions and
other changes were made in the regiment. First
Lieut. William L. Candler was made one of Gen.
Hooker's aides. Second Lieuts. Charles L. Chandler, of
Company A, and Francis W. Carruth, of Company K,
were made first lieutenants. Lieut. Forrester A.
Pelby was detached from the regiment, and, with Lieut.
Chandler, appointed to special duty in the engineer
corps. Amos D. Webster, Company D, was commis-
sioned second lieutenant. Sergeant-major Frank Tho-
mas, and Quartermaster's Sergeant Joseph H. Dalton,
were commissioned second lieutenants. Lieut.-Col.
Wells was placed temporarily in command of the
Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, whose colonel
had been wounded and disabled at the battle of Wil-
liamsburg.
The York-River Railroad, at this time in our pos-
session, was our only reliable base of supplies. It was
in use day and night, and worth at least twenty thou-
200 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
sand men to our army. It should have been fortified
and guarded along its entire extent ; but it was not.
The rebels knew this as well as we. It was deter-
mined in Richmond, therefore, to make a demonstra-
tion against this road ; and, for this purpose, early on
the morning of June 8, Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, with two
colonels, Fitz Hugh Lee, Lieut. Gardner, the Jeff-
Davis Troop, a six-pounder and a twelve-pounder, fly-
ing artillery, and fifteen hundred men, left the rebel
capital, and, proceeding down the Charlottesville Turn-
pike, so as to make a wide detour and throw Union
scouts off the scent, encamped that night at Ashland.
The next morning they proceeded silently and cau-
tiously towards the Federal outposts north of Hanover
Court House, and by a sudden assault quickly routed
the small cavalry force on duty there as vedettes.
Taking such of the men prisoners as had not escaped,
they burned their camp and rode rapidly along, over-
hauling, plundering, and destroying several wagons
on their route, breaking up depots of commissary and
quartermasters' supplies, and doing the Union cause
all the mischief in their power without giving a general
alarm. At Old Church they encountered a squadron
of the Fifth cavalry, but put them to flight after a
brief skirmish, and went on to Garrick's Landing,
about five miles above Whitehouse, on the Pamun-
key, where they burned vessels and wagons, killed
teamsters, captured prisoners, drove off mules, and
spread consternation throughout the vicinity. Pro-
ceeding thence to Tunstall's Station on the York-River
Railroad, they dismounted, and formed on either side
the track to capture an approaching train. The en-
gineer, thinking the force friendly, shut off steam to
SUCCESSFUL REBEL RAID. 201
consult with them; but, receiving a volley which killed
and wounded several soldiers riding on platform-cars
to the front, gave his locomotive a full head, and dashed
on to the Chickahominy, brushing several logs off the
track and making good his escape. One colonel, be-
longing to the Excelsior brigade, was taken prisoner,
but shortly after got away. A paymaster on board,
with one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in
his trunk, jumped off the train and hid in the woods, —
coming up the next day to find his money all safe.
Several men aimed at, within a dozen rods of the rebel
carbineers, by a sudden duck of the head and body,
dodged the shots intended for them, and remained
unharmed.
-The telegraph wires were immediately severed ; a
detachment sent towards Whitehouse for the de-
struction of transports, wagons, and stores, which in-
flicted but little damage, and the main body departed
for New-Kent Court House. Halting here till mid-
night, they proceeded thence, by a road but little fre-
quented, towards the Chickahominy, and endeavored
to cross. The water was at least fifteen feet deep.
The principal roads and all the bridges were in pos-
session of the Union forces, who were now aroused,
and on the alert. One after another, horses and horse-
men plunged into the stream and swam to the other
side. Some of them were too weak to reach it, how-
ever, and were swept down by the current. What was
to be done ? As they stood a moment in uncertainty,
some person concealed exclaimed, " The old bridge is
only a few yards above : it can be mended." It was
eagerly sought for, and speedily found. The informa-
tion was true. A few hours' hard work saw the repairs
202 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
completed, and the perplexed cavalcade again in mo-
tion. On the other side, their gun-carriages sank in
the mire up to the axles, and their wagons obstinately-
refused to be dragged along ; but, by doubling and
trebling the horses and mules upon them, this difficulty
was at length overcome and a new start obtained. It
was now daylight, on the 15th ; and, as they were with-
in the Federal picket-lines, they soon ran into the cav-
alry outposts. A few shots, a quick charge, they were
scattered or captured, and the coast was clear to Rich-
mond. Thirteen miles only below Gen. McClellan's
headquarters they crossed the Chickahominy, and eight
days after they left Richmond on the north side they
entered it on the south, having completely encircled
the Union army, and demonstrated tlie feasibility of
its entire isolation from railway, river, and road. A
few prisoners, three hundred horses and mules, and
some property were taken, and, in all, perhaps a hiui-
dred tliousand dollars' worth of supplies destroyed.
But the army, and, indeed, the whole country were
startled at the boldness of the expedition, and the ease
with which it was executed. Our generals became
aware that they were in an untenable position, whose
communications might any day be cut and their forces
deprived of supplies and subsistence. Immediate ex-
ertions were made to render the works along the whole
line as strong as possible. Double, and, in some places,
triple rows of redoubts were thrown up ; the railroad
was guarded with an increased force ; connection be-
tween the two wings established, by means of new and
substantial bridges and corduroy roads ; and through
forest and swamp new roads were cut capable of
bearing ammunition-wagons and artillery. Reenforce-
1
THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 203
ments were called for to make up for losses caused
by battle and the Chickahominy fever, and wherever
troops could be spared without uncovering important
places they were sent forward at once. From Hamp-
ton, Fredericksburg, Newport News, and Fortress Mon-
roe, regiments arrived ; one of which, the Sixteenth
Massachusetts, under Col. Powell T. Wyman, joined
Gen. Grover's brigade.
Wednesday forenoon, the 18th of June, the rebels
made two feints, in force, in front and to the left
of our position. It seemed to be the universal impres-
sion that they were coming at last for the grand final
struggle so long anticipated ; but, just as they ap-
proached within rifle-shot distance, they counter-
marched, and turned off in another direction. To
ascertain, if possible, what movements they might be
making, the Sixteenth Massachusetts Regiment was
ordered to go out on a reconnoissance in the after-
noon, with the rest of Gen. Grover's brigade as a
support.
The members of this regiment were full of alacrity
at the prospect of a brush, for they had never been
under fire, and did not entertain that wholesome re-
spect for rifle-balls and cannon-shot in motion which
experience invariably gives to the bravest and most
reliable veterans. After the march began, it was diffi-
cult for the officers to restrain their men, so eager were
they to dash on, and unearth the skulking rebels from
their forest hiding-places. In course of half an hour,
they were pretty hotly engaged with a body of men
at least as numerous as their own, and some thought
much superior. The rebels lay behind logs and bushes,
or were hidden by trees and stumps, whence they poured
204 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
ill a rapid fire upon our men, in plain sight, advancing
upon tliem. The contest was kept up somewhat over
an hour, when, by order of Gen. Hooker, the word
was passed round to withdraw, whicli was done with
evident reluctance and without the least confusion.
Never did men behave better under fire than the
soldiers of the brave Sixteenth. They were not only
full of enthusiasm for the fray, but went into it with a
dash, and carried it on with a pluck, whicli would have
done honor to veteran troops. The only pity was that
the men, scorning to imitate the hide-if-you-can prac-
tice of the rebels, and thus fight them with their own
weapons, exposed themselves without compelling the
enemy to do likewise, and in consequence suffered
severely. Two officers and five men were killed, and
fifty-seven men were wounded.
Directly in front of Gen. Hooker's position was a
swamp where our pickets were obliged to remain on
guard, and which it was desirable to leave for higher
ground beyond. It was surmised that this movement
might be succeeded by a forcible resistance on the part
of the enemy, likely to renew the battle of Fair Oaks,
and enable us, under cover of our redoubts and rifle-
pits, and by means of rapid communication between
the wings, to gain some decided advantage over them ;
and it was known, if the enemy were not drawn into
a general engagement, that we should get a better picket-
post, and thus take one step forward on the road to
Richmond.
At midnight, on the 24th, orders came to the divi-
sion to be ready at seven o'clock on the 25th, with three
days' cooked rations in their haversacks, for an advance
towards Richmond.
THE FIRST REGIMENT AT THE FRONT, 205
At daylight, every man was up ; at half-past six, the
line was formed ; and at seven, precisely, the compa-
nies were filing* over the field and into the woods,
where the rebels were supposed to have located their
picket reserves.
This supposition became a certainty soon after eight
o'clock, as our skirmishers came upon the outposts of
the enemy, and began that irregular firing which xisu-
ally precedes a sharp engagement. Very soon the
main body of the regiment came up, and the conflict
waxed hot.
The Massachusetts First at this time had the ad-
vance, supported by the Pennsylvania Twenty-sixth
and New Hampshire Second, the Massachusetts
Eleventh and Sixteenth being in reserve. They were
obliged to advance through an almost impenetrable
swamp, with water above their knees, and bushes so
thick that not a man could be seen thirty feet distant.
All they had to aim at, when the rebels opened fire,
was the report and smoke of their guns.
They were entirely without cover, also, and knew
nothing of their location and surroundings, except
what they were learning, second by second and inch
after inch, while the rebels were perfectly familiar
with the ground, and had only to aim low, as they lay
snugly protected in their rifle-pits, to be almost sure
of hitting somebody.
Not a man flinched, however ; not a face turned:
back ; but, firing and advancing, the whole line went
forward, until the panic-stricken rebels were driven
out of their own pits, and began a rapid retreat across
an oat-field just in front.
Enraged at their discomfiture, and being largely re-
18
206 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS BE GUI EXT.
enforced, they came back again, and the First, not
having been immediately supported, fell back a short
distance, when a fresli onset was made, the rebels
driven out quicker than ever, and the First Regiment
continued to hold their rifle-pits, right in the face of a
galling fire from tree-top, tliicket, wood, and field, for
the remainder of the day.
The attack upon this pit, where the enemy had every
advantage of cover, rest, and knowledge of the ground,
was one of the most daring exploits of the day ; driv-
hig the enemy out of it twice in succession, and hold-
ing it for nearly ten hours against every effort made
for its repossession ; holding it with an obstinate deter-
mination that nothing could weaken, and an entire
indifference to shot, shell, and musketry volleys that
nothing could remove, showed the unconquerable
pluck and persevering intrepidity which the men pos-
sessed.
Col. Cowdin exposed himself in utter disregard of
personal hazard ; waving his sword and cheering on
his command all along the line ; mounting stumps and
logs, to see where the enemy were, notwithstanding
that repeated rifle-shots, whizzing by his ears, told how
prominent an object his tall form made him for the
rebel sharpshooters.
Right well did his officers and men, field, staff, line,
non-commissioned, and rank and file, second his efforts
and respond to his commands. Never were they
cooler, steadier, or more enthusiastic. As they
advanced, their comrades were falling thick and fast
around them, till of five hundred men nearly one hun-
dred had been killed or wounded, and in three compa-
nies not a single commissioned officer was left ; but
REPULSE OF THE REBELS. 207
onward they went, with tread as firm and spn^it as
undaunted as ever.
After the rebel rifle-pits had been taken, fighting-
began along the Avhole line. On the right, it was prin-
cipally with artillery at long range ; but at the centre
and on the left, it was, till about two or three o'clock,
P.M., mostly with muskets and rifles.
Repeated attempts were made to flank our position,
during one of which the Massachusetts Sixteenth and
Eleventh, and the Pennsylvania Twenty-sixth, were
exposed to one of the hottest fires of the day ; but the
coming of Gen. Berry's brigade, and repeated dis-
charges of well-served howitzers, kept the enemy at
bay, and by sundown they were content to skulk along
the edge of the woods, over into which our grape and
canister had driven them, or from some far-distant
tree endeavor to pick ofl* mounted officers as they rode
here and there in the discharge of their duties.
The fighting began at eight o'clock, a.m., and was kept
up, in one or another quarter, all day. Sometimes the
roll of musketry and the thunder of artillery were in-
cessant.
After nine o'clock at night, an onset was made upon
our lines ; but a sheet of fire burst from trench, pit,
tree, and earthwork, such as flesh and blood could not
stand, and the Union forces were left masters of the
ground they had so fairly won. Dear was the cost,
however, so far as the First Regiment was concerned.
Gen. McClellan was on the field, close by our divis-
ion, a great part of the day, and personally directed
one of the later movements.
Gens. Heintzelman, Hooker, and Grover, were also
on hand, cool, fearless, and resolute, contributing no
208 THE FIIiST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT,
little, by their quiet self-i30ssession, to the success of
the day.
Such of our wounded as could bear removal were at
once sent down to White House, and put on board
hospital steamers for transportation to Fortress Mon-
roe.
On Thursday, the 26th, our dead were all buried in
our own camp, — mostly in strong pine boxes, so
marked as to be easily distinguished, — and addresses,
full of feeling, were made by Col. Cowdin, Capt. Bald-
win, and Chaplain Fuller, of the Sixteenth. Tears
flowed down many a bronzed cheek, and many an eye
that the day before flashed with the light of battle be-
came dim with uncontrollable emotion.
The entire Union loss, on account of this affair, was
six hundred killed, wounded, and missing : that of
the rebels has never been reported.
Following the action of the 25th, early on the next
day, an assault was made on the Union right. Anti-
cipating trouble, Whitehouse had been abandoned as
a depot of supplies by Gen. McClellan, and its immense
accumulations of stores removed or destroyed. This
was unknown to the rebels. Hoping to reach them.
Gens. Longstreet and A. P. Hill fell suddenly upon
McCalPs position, surprising the Pennsylvania "Buck-
tails" while on picket, and capturing several compa-
nies of the reserve. Following up their advantage,
they furiously assaulted McCall's line of battle, hoping
to pierce the Union centre and divide the right wing
from the left. After a severe and protracted engage-
ment, Gen. Morell's division came up, and the rebels
were driven back at every point. During the night,
Gen. Porter sent all his wagons to the rear, thus be-
BATTLE OF GAIN'S MILLS. 209
ginning the movement which resulted in the occupation
of Harrison's Landing, and fell back in line of battle
to a position between Cold Harbor and the Chickahom-
iny, about three miles in length, near Gain's Mill. By
daylight, the next morning, the enemy were in sight.
The columns of Anderson, Pickett, and D. H. Hill,
commenced the attack. They were exposed to the fire
of twenty thousand men, and at least sixty pieces of
artillery, advantageously posted. The effect was ter-
rible ; and the enemy, though tliey came on with hur-
ralis and cheers, began to waver and retire. In vain
tlieir officers swung their caps and swords ; in vain
their artillery poured in round after round ; in vain
were shouted commands, entreaties, and even threats.
The fire was so appalling that wliole ranks went down
under it, as though struck with lightning. The men
would not stand, simply because they could not stand.
Re-enforcements came up, bringing additional l^atteries.
The fire of one hundred and fifty guns poured a per-
fect hurricane of deadly missiles from side to side,
enveloping the furious combatants in clouds of smoke,
and making the ground beneath them fairly tremble
with the din. Great chasms were opened in the ad-
vancing lines, by canister and spherical case ; some
regiments were so shattered that hardly officers enough
remained to command the men. The Nineteenth North
Carolina lost eight standard-bearers in rapid succes-
sion. Had it not been for reserves the result would
have been a great Union victory ; but these troops,
coming up fresh and strong against men who had fired
their last cartridge, and were ready to drop with hun-
ger and exhaustion, forced them back ; and, charging
over their broken ranks, speedily demoralized the
18*
210 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
whole line. At least fifty thousand of the enemy here
fought thirty thousand Unionists during an entire day,
and did not prevent the accomplishment of what was
undertaken in the morning. Five thousand wagons,
a monstrous siege train of heavy artillery, twenty-five
liundred oxen, and all the regimental property were
started towards the James River, across White Oalc
Swamp. Concealed in the woods, all tliis was done
without the knowledge of the enemy ; and when, after
a forced march on the 28th, they came to Whitehouse,
expecting to find an immense amount of supplies, noth-
ing greeted their eyes but an abandoned encampment
and smoking ruins. This opened their eyes ; they
saw then what Gen. McClellan was about; but they
saw it too late. It was utterly impossible for any
messenger to proceed from Whitehouse to Richmond,
and for Gen. Lee to re-organize his plans of assault
soon enough to arrest the tide, then at its full, flow-
ing across White-oak Swamp towards James River.
Throughout the day the conviction was positive and
universal among the rebels, shared alike by officers and
men, that the capture or destruction of the Federal
army, with all its accumulated material, was a settled
and established fact; and the famous Southern Confede-
racy, of which they had only dreamed heretofore, a fixed
and indestructible reality. The imagined position of
Gen. McClellan would not admit of any other conclu-
sion. He had abandoned all his redoubts and en-
trenchments north of the Chickahomony ; he had been
cut off from all communication with his base of sup-
plies at Whitehouse ; he could not control any
availal)le line of retreat ; the Chickahomony, crossed
only by a few frail bridges, easily destroyed, was in his
CASUALTIES AT FAIR OAKS. 211
rear ; the columns of Longstreet, Huger, and Magru-
der in his front. So throughon.t the hostile camps was
most extravagant rejoicing. The Union at last was
broken, past all mending. The superiority of tlie
South — not only in peace, but also in war — forever-
more established ; and a great slave-holding, labor-
hating, ease-loving nation about to enter upon a aa.reer
of glory and prosperity beyond all precedent in the
annals of time ! Behold the folly of human expecta-
tions. While details were burying the dead, or
attending to the wounded ; while the men were rest-
ing, after the fatigue and excitement of battle, or con-
gratulating each other upon the probable termination
of hostilities within a few weeks or months, and now
night had settled upon the scene, couriers were de-
spatched from Richmond to get every thing in readiness
for an assault, the next day, upon the Union rear.
In Gen. Heintzelman's corps, at the same time, an
order was received from Gen. McClellan, congratulat-
ing the troops upon the brilliant results of the recent
fighting, but requesting officers to consign to the
flames all their personal effects that were not indis-
pensable, and commanding that an immense amount
of public property be disposed of in the same manner.
The hope was held out that all private individual
losses might be made good by the Government ; but
that hope has thus far failed of realization.
The following is an official list of killed and
wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks, on June 25.
Company A. — Private Lewis G. Getchell, killed ;
Captain Edward A. Wild, shot in the hand ; Sergeant
Frederic E. Dolbeare, shot in the arm; Charles D.
212 TEE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Griggs, shot in the legs ; James A. Munroe, shot in
the leg ; Emerson W. Law, shot through the arm ;
Horace E. Whitfield, shot in the finger ; George W.
T. Conant, shot in the side and shoulder ; Charles A.
Dwyer, shot in the left hand ; John C. Ready, shot in
the shoulder, died of his wounds ; Andrew J. Wash-
burn, contusion.
Company B. — Second Lieutenant Henry Parkinson,
jr., shot through the right thigh ; Second Lieutenant
Joseph H. Dalton, shot in the right breast ; Sergeant
James Armstrong, shot in both arms ; Corporal Wil-
liam H. Fletcher, shot in the right arm ; John A.
Beyer, shot in the left hand ; George W. Lovejoy, shot
in the left hand ; George C. Cook, shot in the right
arm ; Thomas E. Collins, shot in the left leg ; Richard
Downing, shot in the left arm and right knee ; Daniel
Goodwin, shot in the left arm; James Quinn, shot in
the abdomen ; John B. McKay, shot in the head.
Company C. — Benjamin Goodspeed, shot through
the arm ; Elbridge Fisher, shot in the hand ; James
G. Harrington, shot in the neck ; Thomas Meagher,
shot in the arm.
Company D. — Hector Ingraham, killed ; William
C. Manning, contusion left arm ; Parker Goodwin,
shot in the foot ; William H. H. Whall, shot in the
hand and breast.
Company E. — Corporal Horace 0. Blake, killed ;
WiUiam B. Gaskins, killed ; George 0. Baxter, killed ;
Corporal William Kelren, shot in the shoulder ; George
E. Dillaway, shot in the neck ; John Taylor, shot in
the head.
Company F. — William H. Appleton, shot in the arm
and side ; John D. Thwing, shot in the ankle.
CASUALTIES AT FAIR OAKS. 213
Company G. — Henry G. Whitten, killed ; Corporal
George B. Roberts, lost a finger ; Michael Carlin, shot
in the leg.
• Company H. — Captain Sumner Carruth, shot in
the arm.
Company I. — Second Lieutenant Frank Thomas,
lost an arm ; Sergeant James Finney, shot in the
thigh ; Corporal Charles E. Ferguson, shot in the
head ; Gardner Kimball, shot in the hand ; Isaac
Clark, shot in the arm ; Warren H. Gardner, severe
wound in the face ; Nicholas S. Hall, shot in the side ;
William Murray, shot in the hand ; Wentworth Wil-
son, shot in the leg; William W. Bradly, slightly
wounded.
Company K. — Corporal George L. Richardson,
killed ; Private Thomas L. Moran, killed ; Private
George H. Stillings, killed ; Captain A. G. Chamber-
lain, shot in the mouth ; Sergeant John H. Holden,
shot in the left arm ; Frank Bouvard, shot in the right
arm ; William Long, shot in the left breast ; John J.
Powers, shot in the right thigh ; Frank Partridge, shot
in the hand ; James Finerty, shot in the left arm ;
Thomas K. Jones, shot in the left breast.
Recapitulation : Nine killed, fifty-five wounded.
CHAPTER VIII.
GLENDALE, AND MALVERN HILL,
FIRST AXD SECOND.
" Freemen up I The foe is nearing I
Hanghty banners high unreartng ;
Lo, their serried ranks appearing !
Freemen on I The drums are beating !
WU] you shrink from snch a meeting ?
Forward I Give the hero greeting I
From TOUT hearths and homes and altai^,
Backward hurl your proud assaulters :
He is not a man who falters.
Hush ! The hour of fate is nigh 1
On the help of God rely 1
Forward I We will do or die ! "' — G. Ha^iiltox.
THE morning of Sunday, June 29. was spent by
Gen. Hooker's division in " cheerfully submit-
ting'' to the various trivial sacrifices of personal pro-
perty they were called upon to make, comprising
trunks, apparel, mess-chests, mattresses, cami>stools,
tent-furniture, <tc. ; and in smashing up generally
whatever might be serviceable to the enemy. Cook-
ing-utensils were broken or perforated ; tents cut
m tatters from end to end ; tables, chests, chairs,
desks, and bedsteads, split open or broken to pieces.
It was a carnival of destruction. The regiment was
then marched out to the front, with orders to hold a
redoubt at the right of tlie Williamsburg Road, until
the division fell Vjack. The morning was damp, and
1. #4*"^ '"&'"?
DESTRUCTIOX OF THE RAILKOAD TR-UN.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. 215
just then, as by a special dispensation of Providence, a
thick fog came up which entirely hid our operations
from the enemy. Their pickets were within less than
a thousand paces, but not a movement could they see ;
and we were left entirely unmolested until every re-
doubt had been abandoned, all the guns drawn off, and
the roads by which pursuit must be made blocked up
with heavy trees felled across them by the pioneers.
The camps, woods, and fields were covered with the
debris of military supplies. Thousands of our best
muskets lay around with their stocks shattered, barrels
bent, or locks jammed in ; tons on tons of ammuni-
tion, piled up and set on fire, or spilled into running
water; barrels of beef and pork, of coffee, sugar,
beans, and rice, poured out and trampled over ; boxes
of clothing and equipments which had never been
worn, blankets, overcoats, tents, accoutrements, thrown
aside in heaps ; molasses, vinegar, tea, flour, whiskey,
cartridges, vegetables, mixed up in gutters by the road-
side ; standing tents and artificial bowers by the dozen
burning and crackling in every direction ; immense ac-
cumulations of hard-bread, rising by the thousand
boxes to the height of thirty or forty feet, and fifty or
eighty feet square at the base, blazing fiercely ; books,
papers, accounts, blanks, and sutler's goods, to be had
for the taking : — such was the spectacle attending the
commencement of that grand strategic movement to-
wards James River, from the right and centre of the
Army of the Potomac, which excited such universal
interest, and provoked so much controversy at the
time of its occurrence.
At noon, while the brigade occupied an admirable
position close by one of the York-River railroad
216 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
stations, called Savage's Station, the enemy came in
sight. A considerable number of sick soldiers, with
a few wounded, and here and there one that was the
worse for liquor, had been left behind in the aban-
doned camps, all of whom fell into rebel hands and
were sent back to Richmond.
The roads were obstructed by fallen trees, corduroys
torn up, and bridges destroyed, so that the hostile ad-
vance was necessarily slow. At Savage's Station had
been the headquarters of Gen. McClellan, the Sanitary
Commission, and the principal departments ; and here
was the largest hospital in the army, crowded with in-
mates, many wounded, but more sick with Chicka-
hominy fever, some dying, and some dead. Prostrate
in tents or sheds, they soon heard tliat the troops were
falling back, and were filled with uncontrollable eager-
ness to avoid being captured, or exposed to all the
dangers of a battle without the ability to participate
in its duties. Pale, trembling, tottering, they rose by
the dozen from their sick beds, and besought wagoners
or ambulance drivers to take them aboard, or fol-
lowed feebly the direction of the retreating columns
towards White-oak Bridge. Meantime the rebels had
drawn up a battery on the Union right, which opened
the fight by a few well-directed rounds, but was quickly
silenced and compelled to retire. Skirmishers then
appeared in front, and soon a line of battle emerged
from the woods at point-blank range. Every inch of
the ground was commanded by our guns, which poured
such a destructive fire into their ranks that they fell
back without waiting for a second volley. They tlien
tried the flanks, but, finding that every precaution had
been taken in that direction, seemed at loss what to do.
CONTINUED RETREAT OF THE ARMY. 217
Finally, determined to attempt something, and seeing
that our men were steadily and regularly falling back,
they massed their troops and moved forward to the
assault. From the whole line, including several guns
half masked, in a position allowing an enfilading fire,
they received repeated discharges at such a disadvan-
tage that at last they retired to the woods, and until
nightfall contented tliemselves with irregular and scat-
tering volleys, backed by rounds of artillery, whose
shot and shells plunged harmlessly into the banks of
impenetrable redoubts or ricochetted angrily over the
open plain. A considerable number of prisoners were
captured, some of whom were taken along ; but the
majority were left with our own dead and wounded
upmi the field. At least fifteen hundred of the enemy
were killed and wounded during this engagement,
while our own losses did not i^ach one-seventh of that
number. The First Regiment supported battery K,
Fourth United-States Artillery, and guarded a portion
of the railroad beyond the station, all the afternoon,
and were not molested. The troops were kept con-
stantly in motion, without hurry or panic, marching
by column of regiments, and countermarcliing again
if along any portion of their line the enemy appeared
in force. Surprise was therefore impossible, and, after
trying the line at all points that could be readied with-
out making the desired impression, soon after dark
the firing ceased. All night long the retreat continued.
The roads were crowded witli soldiers, horses, cattle,
wagons, and batteries ; and before daylight the opposite
bank of White-oak Creek had been reached, the bridges
were destroyed, and cannon posted commanding all
the fords. It was a great oversight on the part of the
19
218 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
enemy, tliat, with cavalry or flying artillery, they did
not follow up our rear at night, and on the night of the
29th especially, of all nights the most critical for our
supply-trains, cattle, and batteries. Beyond White-oak
Bridge, particularly if our infantry was held firmly
along the swamp, they were comparatively safe.
This point was reached, passed, and held in force by
our batteries; and such good time had been made, that
the enemy did not appear upon our rear and flank
until noon of the next day. Many of our troops had
been drawn up in line of battle, waiting for them since
morning. At twelve, they were seen covering the crest
of Poplar Hill, which had been our former camping
ground, advancing so as to overtake our rear. They
had no sooner arrived within cannon-shot than they
were admonished by nearly fifty guns not to come any
farther. Immediately planting their own batteries in
front of the position, they commenced a furious can-
nonade, answering us with gun for gun, under cover
of which their infantry repeatedly attempted to cross
the stream, but were driven back each time with seri-
ous loss.
Below, the stream was too wide and deep to allow a
passage, and above, the ground was heavily wooded,
and swampy, so that nothing was left for them but to
hold the hill, and give and take to the best of their
ability. This they did until long after dark. The fire
of nearly one hundred guns made an almost continu-
• ous roar, which reverberated through the woods, and
echoed along the roads as far as Turkey Bend on the
James River. A large number of horses were killed,
several wagon-teams stampeded, and a few guns dis-
DESPERATE STRUGGLE. 219
mounted ; but the loss of men in killed and wounded
was comparatively slight.
Simultaneously with the assault of Stonewall Jack-
son's forces from Poplar Hill, the men of Longstreet's,
A. P. Hill's, Huger's, and Magruder's columns, com-
menced the passage of White-oak Swamp by the Charles
City Road. It was the determination of these generals
to penetrate the Union lines, and cut off our retreat.
Miscalculating the time when the assault should have
been made, or unable, on account of their artillery, to
get through the swamp any sooner, they did not
approach the vicinity of our pickets until late in the
afternoon. As if to make up for lost time then, how-
ever, they came on through field and wood, closed in
mass, almost on the double-quick. The Union forces
had been resting for several hours, and moreover had
chosen a position which afforded considerable advan-
tage for the use of heavy guns, and received them
with such a destructive fire as threw them at once
into great disorder. Following up their advantage,
the Union troops charged upon them ; and the entire
line would have been routed, had not Gen. Lee called
up all his reserves. Another advance was attempted ;
but the position had been so well chosen, and the fire
of the Union forces was so galling, that the oldest vete-
rans quailed before it. It was simply impossible to
stand in such a situation. Whole ranks of men were
hurled to the ground as fast as they formed and at-
tempted to advance. At first the Union soldiers did
not endeavor to follow them as they retired, but
allowed them to re-form at their leisure, and try it
again. The moment their lines appeared in the recess-
es of the woods, however, or across the borders of the
220 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
fields, fire blazed from thirty thousand muskets, and
leaped from the muzzles of at least fifty pieces of artil-
lery. The roll of repeated volleys, the rapid reports
of tlie batteries, the crash of solid shot through
the trees, and the clatter of canister and spherical
case striking against trunks and branches, mingled
with the yells of the combatants and the cries of
the wounded, in one deafening and terrific uproar,
appalling alike to ear and heart. It seemed to have
been settled and decided by the rebel leaders that they
must break through our lines at this point if it cost
them every man in their army; yet after hours of
fighting, with every disadvantage, and at serious loss,
they had not gained an inch of ground. The narrow
space of the battle-ground was covered with their dead
and wounded ; darkness was creeping through the
woods ; our lines had been re-enforced and extended ;
the rebels began to fear a flank movement, with its
dreaded accompaniment of an enfilading fire ; and all
their confidence oozed away : they became demoralized,
and turned back.
During one of their attacks, the Sixteenth Mas-
sachusetts Regiment was fiercely assailed, and Col.
Wyman their commander killed, while scores of his
brave men were left wounded and helpless on the field.
As they went on to a fence fronting the rebel centre,
they became mixed up with the First, and for a time
both battalions fought together side by side. The
brigade was then formed for an advance ; and Gen.
Grover in person led them forward into the forest.
They had gone but a few hundred rods when they en-
countered three regiments, one on either flank dressed
in blue, and one in front dressed in gray. Supposing
GEN. GROVER'S BRIGADE ENTRAPPED. 221
that the flank regiments were Federals, they continued
to advance, when a terribly destructive fire was poured
in upon them from the front and both sides.
The regiments in blue were rebels dressed in our
uniform. The fire was returned without waiting for
orders; but to remain there was certain death, and
Gen. Grover gave the command to get out as soon as
possible. How any succeeded in doing so is a marvel ;
for bullets were flying about by the thousand, and men
were dropping in dozens. The woods were so full of
smoke, that it seemed like a thick fog. Branches of
trees, cut off by the flying shot, were falling to the
ground on all sides. Surprise, confusion, uncertainty,
prevailed among the men for a moment : they had
been entrapped, and were in danger of being captured,
as, had the rebel regiments on their flanks advanced,
they might have been ; but, before there was hardly
time to think, they were out of it. How it was done,
some of them who were in the midst of the fighting
find it hard to say, the excitements of such a situation
and experience are so absorbing. But done it was ;
and in a few moments, with a loss of nearly seventy
killed, wounded, and missing, they were in their old
position again.
Meantime, orders had been sent back to Stonewall
Jackson to cover the rebel rear, should they be obliged
to fall back to Richmond ; and, according to the testi-
mony of one of their own officers, directions were
intrusted to a courier from Gen. Lee to get the public
property in Richmond ready for removal in case we
should advance. All the confidence of the previous
few days had disappeared from the rebel ranks. In
place of a foe dispirited, demoralized, exhausted, and
19*
'2-22 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS BEGIMENT.
ill full retreat, they found closed ranks of stubborn
fighters, contesting every inch of ground they yielded,
and falling back with the coolness and deliberation of
perfect self-control ; they found every portion of the
line guarded with sleepless vigilance, and defended with
unyielding determination ; they found, too, that the
stores, the wagon-train, the herds of cattle, and the
immense war material they had calculated upon cap-
turing so easily, had been destroyed, or removed to the
rear, and they could not get at it, fight as hard as they
might ; and they found, worst of all, that the losses
of men in their weary, depleted, worn-out columns,
whose mangled bodies, thrown in masses so uselessly
against our well-served batteries, strewed every rod of
ground from Fair-Oaks Station for seventeen miles
round to Turkey Creek, had been so serious, that, if
the fighting continued many days longer, they would
have hardly the skeleton of an army left.
The gloom occasioned by these discoveries spread
from the officers to the men, and from the men to the
hangers-on ; and when, with victorious shouts at vari-
ous portions of the line, our forces began to advance,
it completed the moral prostration of the day. Team-
sters first began to fall back, lashing their animals into
a run over the uneven roads, and making a furious
uproar with their lumbering vehicles as they jumped
from stump to stump or hole to hole. Ammunition,
hospital, supply trains, all cauglit the infection, and
spread it as they proceeded ; until at last even the
battery drivers yielded to it, and rode away upon the
keen jump, anxious only to get beyond the reach of
danger as speedily as possible. At last, half reluc-
tantly, but with obstinate resolution upon their faces,
INTREPIDITY OF A REBEL GENERAL. 223
the infantry, too, moved back. Old soldiers, who had
been fighting ever since the war broke out, and to
whom a defeat was bitterer than gall and wormwood,
and raw recruits, half bewildered by the awful scenes
of passion and carnage through which for a week they
had been passing, choked the roads and paths leading
to the Williamsburg Turnpike, and despite the out-
cries, commands, and expostulations of their officers,
moved away from the front.
In a few moments. White-oak Swamp would have
been the scene of a far greater panic to the Rebels
than that of Bull Run was to the Federals, because
its treacherous bogs and wide-spread morasses would
have allowed no extrication to artillery or wagon trains
sufficiently expeditious to save them from capture.
But, during those few moments, it was shown how
much one fearless and determined soul can do to
check disaster, and snatch salvation from the very
jaws of death.
A prominent rebel general gathered what troops he
could, who would stand by him, and, forming them
hastily in the woods, moved forward towards the front,
flaming still with the devouring fires of battle. All
men of heart stood still as they saw him coming, and
then joined with him to save the day, or die in its loss.
It was but a forlorn hope ; but there was hope in it,
if there were hope anywhere : so they turned back.
Where they made their final stand was disadvantageous
land for regular assaults in line, so the combatants
stood there, pouring their shots into each other's
bosoms, and, in some cases, engaging in personal con-
flicts with bayonets, swords, knives, or clubbed mus-
kets. The Union soldiers had already advanced farther
224 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS BEGIMENT.
than they had been commanded to. Their orders had
been only to prevent the rebels from breaking through
to the road. Not only had they done this, but had
driven back the enemy several hundred yards. There,
even after they rallied and frantically endeavored to
regain what they had lost, they kept them ; and though
the solitudes of the forest were lighted up till nearly
midnight with the flashes of their guns, as they endeav-
ored repeatedly to displace our ranks, the endeavor
was futile and finally abandoned : they posted their
pickets, fell back, and gave up the battle-ground to
surgeons, stretcher-bearers, and ambulances. All night
long our men who were left behind heard their shouts
and outcries, mingled with the groans of the dying,
and the calls of the wounded for water and help ; and
all night long saw the glimmer of their candles and
lanterns as they stumbled about in search of the in-
jured, or removed prominent officers, as was their cus-
tom, from the heaps of common dead.
No sooner had darkness covered the earth than the
Federal army began its movement towards James
River again. Before morning, the rebels had been left
almost entirely in their rear ; and the whole wagon-
train was parked along the James, under the^'uns of
the ''Galena" and "Mahaska," which had taken posi-
tion upon our left flank. The rebel divisions of Gens.
Wise and Holmes had made an attack upon Gen. Por-
ter's corps, near Malvern Hill, during the afternoon of
the 30th, but having been hastily summoned to the
assistance of Gens. Longstreet, Hill, and Huger, when
they were so hard pressed, had afforded just the oppor-
tunity desired by Gen. McClellan to establish his com-
THE POSITION AT MALVERN HILL. 225
munications with the gunboats and transports on the
James, and thus obtain a new base of supplies.
A finer position than that afforded by Malvern Hill
for defensive purposes could not be desired, nor even
imagined. From the river to its extreme limit on the
right, it was three miles or three and a half; and
nearly the whole of this distance the top of the hill
was level, and descended to the open fields in front by
a gradual depression of the land, almost as smooth
and regular as the glacis of a fort. Upon and around
this, batteries, including the siege-train, were advan-
tageously posted ; and, sweeping along in tlie rear, the
various divisions of infantry occupied a semicircular
line of battle two miles and a half in front.
By experienced military men, it was hardly believed
that the rebels would be so fool-hardy as to assault us
again in such an advantageous position ; and, as the day
wore away, this belief gained ground. It was known
that they had suffered fearfully in men and material,
and that their troops must be about worn out with the
marching and fighting of the previous six days. It
was supposed that they knew of the arrival of our gun-
boats on the James ; for the opposite side of the river
was in their possession, and in constant communica-
tion with Richmond, and it was incredible that they
would approach Malvern Hill, so fortified as we had
made it, and presenting the most formidable line of
batteries they had ever attempted to carry. But after
a few scattering cannon-shots about noon, to ascertain
the range, at four o'clock in the afternoon the rebel
divisions began to form in front of and within the
woods, in plain sight of our lines. As regiment after
regiment wheeled into position, with banners flying,
226 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
and bayonets glittering in the sun, our men fairly
pitied them, for they knew what must be the result.
Gen. McClellan had personally superintended the loca-
tion of his forces, so that not a shot might be lost.
Gen. Keyes was on the extreme right. Gen. Franklin
next ; then Gen. Sumner's corps, embracing Richard-
son's and Sedgwick's divisions ; afterwards Heintzel-
man, with Hooker, Kearney, and Couch ; and on the
left, Gen. Fitz John Porter, with Morell's division and
the regulars. All told, there were fifty thousand men,
most of whom had been resting from ten o'clock in
the morning until four in the afternoon.
The artillery opened first on both sides ; but, as the
enemy used wholly field-guns, most of their shot fell
short, while the thirty-two and hundred pound shells
from our siege pieces and gunboats struck in the very
midst of their battalions, causing them to waver and
tremble even before they began to advance. Whether
it was this that made Magruder eager to press forward
without reconnoitring our lines with sufficient care, or
whether he supposed we were weakest on the left, is
not known ; but for some reason or other, most unfor-
tunate to him, he directed his assault first towards
the left wing, which was the strongest part of the
whole line. As they advanced, the men were exposed
to a fire in front and on the left flank from our posted
artillery, while the right was pierced through and
through by heavy shells from the gunboats. Column
after column was marched up towards the slope of the
hill, only to be thrown into complete disorder, and scat-
tered into little knots and squads of men, making for
the rear with the utmost speed. Whole ranks were
mowed down in winrows, and melted away under the
THE BATTLE AT MALVERN HILL. 227
driving storm of missiles hurled against them with in-
credible rapidity. Still, as it now became apparent
that Magruder's object was to gain our rear, hold the
only remaining road open to our retreat, and thus cap-
ture or cripple the entire army, the columns of the
enemy were pressed up in tumultuous masses against
the left ; and still in battalions and brigades they were
torn asunder, riven in twain, and sent reeling and tot-
tering back again across the plain. The left having
been re-enforced during a momentary lull in the
firing, the defenders of the hill became, in turn, the
assailants, and, rushing down with fixed bayonets
upon the disconcerted masses of the enemy as they
were endeavoring to rally and make a renewed stand,
repulsed them at all points with terrible slaughter, and
drove them headlong back into the woods. Scattered
all along the line of their advance and retreat were
guns, colors, wounded, dying, and dead; the latter ly-
ing, in some places, in heaps, one on top of another,
where they had fallen under rounds of canister and
spherical case from our batteries, or torn all to pieces
by the terrific explosion of shells from the gunboats.
The commanders of these vessels could not see the
ranks of the enemy, and so were not left to the deci-
sion of their own observations and judgment in the
management of their pieces. Members of the signal
corps from the tops of high trees or houses informed their
lookouts of the position of the enemy, and thus ena-
bled them to direct their fire with unerring accuracy
and frightful effect. After the first repulse, the enemy
brought out several batteries of field-pieces, and com-
menced a furious cannonade of Porter's lines, to
which the artillery in front of Couch and Heintzelman
228 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
responded with the heavy siege-guns in the rear, disa-
bling some of their carriages, killing many of their
men and horses, and making the place so hot that it
was untenable.
Just before the sun went down, a final, desperate
attempt was made to attain the grand object now about
to be lost forever, and, if it were possible, at any cost
to gain the Union rear. Gunpowder had been mixed
with whiskey, and the fiery potation distributed freely
throughout the rebel rank and file ; and, simultane-
ously with the commencement of a terrific cannonade,
the rebel lines were pushed forward out of the woods
once more, and over the fields fronting the hill. They
came on, this time, a little to the left of their former
direction of approach, yelling and bounding forwards
as if determined to succeed. But again they were
doomed to a bitter disappointment ; again their lines
were furrowed and rent in two by the fire of our artil-
lery ; and again the hundred-pound shells of the gun-
boats, redirected from the signal stations, went shriek-
ing through the air over our heads, and burst with
thundering reverberations, which momentarily rose
above every other sound upon the battle-field, in the
very midst of their divisions and brigades.
They were not content now to remain in one posi-
tion, but, having assaulted the left unsuccessfully,
approached next the centre, and so went on round
almost to the extreme riglit. There were, however,
no weak spots. Whatever point they approached
flamed in patriotic anger, and hurled them back smit-
ten and discomfited. For nearly two hours, they ran
head foremost against the storm, until our gunners,
out of shot, put in stones, and cut the chains off their
THE REBEL ATlMY ROUTED.
229
harnesses for charges to their guns, or knocked down
the most forward among them with their rammers, as
they rushed on the batteries. Everywhere they were
foiled, slain, wounded, beaten back.
In one portion of the line, where Gen. Couch had
the immediate command, he planted the colors of his
former regiment, while the conflict was at its height,
exactly where he wanted to have them held, and told
his troops those flags must stay there, and they must
stay there to maintain them. His commands were
obeyed to the letter ; for, through the whole of that
sanguinary conflict, there they fluttered in the breeze,
and^not an inch of the alignement was lost. While
the struggle was at its height, and the enemy were
crowding around the circumference of the blazing
semicircle, fiercely endeavoring to break through, it
was a thrilling spectacle to see infantry and cavalry
moving amid the bursting shells, solid shot, and fleecy
masses of gunpowder-smoke, which momentarily hid
them from view, across the inside, to strengthen every
part which seemed in the least to waver or recoil.
Thus the battle raged until the sun went down ; and
then, as the enemy seemed overwhelmed with despair,
or stricken with paralysis, they were charged upon at
several points, and completely routed along the entire
line Rapidly as possible they retired into the woods,
and along the Charles-City Road, leaving to the Union
army an undisputed line of march to the James River.
Had they been vigorously pursued, there is little doubt
that a panic would have broken out among their dis-
heartened and exhausted forces, and that, m a tew
days more, Richmond would have been entered, by our
victorious army ; but as this was not in the estab-
20
230 THE Fin ST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
lished plan, and as the commanding general was not
inclined to be venturesome, and exchange a certainty
for an uncertainty, the order was given to fall back at
once, sending the disabled, all the wagons, the bag-
gage and cattle ahead, and to rendezvous at Harrison's
Landing, on the James River. The scenes on the road
were painful and trying in the extreme. Every house
and barn unprotected by a Union bayonet had been
extemporized into a hospital or infirmary for sick and
wounded, where they were crowded and huddled to-
gether without any regard to regiment, brigade, divi-
sion, or corps.
Along the river were various temporary camps formed
by the clustering-together of ten, a hundred, a thou-
sand, or more men, sick, wounded, or utterly worn out,
who presented the most forlorn and pitiable look im-
aginable. The weather having been hot and dry during
the previous few days, and the roads trodden and worn
down till the dust was as line as flour or the merest pow-
der, everybody and every thing were covered with it,
officers, men, horses, and wagons : it lay in masses on
the hair, whitened the beard and mustache, lodged upon
the eyebrows and clung around the eyelashes, and
gathered all over the countenance, except where rills
of perspiration swept it down upon the clothing, leav-
ing furrows upon the features like lines of paint on the
face of a savage ; and it made everybody, without excep-
tion, so dirty, that it was positively painful to see others,
or think of yourself, as in such a plight. Twice dur-
ing the day the writer saw Gen. McClellan surround-
ed by the members of his staff; and, had it not been
for their buttons and trappings, they might easily have
been mistaken for a party of millers just from work.
THE RETREATING ARMY. 231
Following an ambulance creaking under the weight
of its ghastly burdens, might be seen men, crippled
with rheumatism, pale and feeble from recent wounds,
sick, emaciated, gasping for a breath of air, hobbling
painfully along, some on crutches, some with canes,
and some leaning on their comrades for support.
The sheltered fields containing solid ground were
covered with thousands of wagons parked in system-
atic order ; while the horses were feasting on the half-
ripened grain trampled into the earth all about them,
or munching rations of forage from the feed-box ; and
the mules were biting and kicking each other, or rais-
ing such hideous choruses of brays as only army-mules
are capable of producing. The roads, meantime, ex-
hibited an interminable procession of vehicles, ambu-
lances, headquarter spring-wagons, and regimental
teams, — some carrying baggage, some rations, some
ammunition ; some, men who had been sun-struck or
bullet-struck ; and others, men so foot-sore or leg-
weary, that further muscular locomotion had become
an utter impossibility. Surrounding and following the
wagons were troopers, footmen, stragglers, from all de-
partments of the service, reeking with perspiration, and
half smothered by the dust ; and mixed up among
them, men with blood on their faces, and their heads
bound up ; men Avith blood on their coats, and their
arms bound up ; men with blood on their pants, jerk-
ing themselves along by the aid of a strong staff, show-
ing a wound in the leg ; or men with their jaws shot
through or half shot away, who could not speak, but
only point at the crimson clot of mingled gore and hair,
across which a vivid line, more bright than the rest,
told how^ the vital current was oozing fast away.
232 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
The sufferers were not all in motion ; for by the
roadside sat many, completely worn out from wounds
or sickness, looking wistfully at every ambulance or
wagon that went past, to see if there was not room left
for one more ; and beside them others, who had faint-
ed utterly away, or were stretched out so fast asleep
that the trump of doom would hardly arouse them
from their slumbers. Borne along on stretchers, also
might be seen, occasionally, one, whose friends would
not allow him to fall into the enemy's hands or lie
groaning and helpless by the roadside. Nearly all of
these were seriously, and some mortally wounded ;
and the yearning, saddened look they wore, coming, as
it were, not from the eyes, but from the depths of the
soul longing for comfort, sympathy, and help, made
the very heart ache to see it.
During the battles, which had now lasted seven days,
hundreds of men had lost their regiments amid the
darkness of the night, while filling tlieir canteens at
some brook or well, or in the confusion following a too
eager charge ; cavalry had been dismounted, and can-
noneers lost their guns ; some, filled with an uncon-
querable terror, had fallen back without orders, and
others had obtained surgeons' certificates which they
did not deserve. All these lay about in the woods, or
near some hospital, without food, without officers,
without organization ; many of them without guns or
accoutrements, which they had thrown away. As fast
as possible, they were gathered together by the cavalry,
and sent back to the commands where they belonged.
Early on the morning of Wednesday, July 2, the army
was again in motion. Dark clouds covered the face
of the heavens, and soon began to pour out a perfect
ARRIVAL AT HARRISON'S LANDING. 233
deluge of water upon the parched and dusty earth.
It seemQd to rain as it had never rained before, and
speedily transformed the roads into ditches, and the
babbling brooks, which ran across the roads, mto rush-
ing torrents. Yet on tramped the weary men, knee-
deep in mud, and waist-deep in water ; on plunged the
jaded horses, bespattered, and spattering the yellow
mire in all directions. By noon, the army, with all its
immense material, debouched upon the open plain at
Harrison's Bend, taking possession of wide-spread fields
of wheat and clover, where the tents were pitched with-
out, at first, much reference to order or regularity.
At the landing were transports, which had come round
by the way of Fortress Monroe from the Pamunkey
River ; and these, as speedily as possible, were relieved
of their stores, and filled with the wounded and sick
for conveyance to a better location. The army was
drawn up along the shore, under cover of the gun-
boats, defensive works planned in the ojDposite direc-
tion, and at once begun. Just before night, rapid firing
was heard in the rear ; and soon solid shot and shell
were flying through the air behind us, and striking
among the tents which had just been pitched. An im-
mediate assault was made upon the hostile battery,
which, with all its supports, was easily captured, and
nearly a thousand men brought in prisoners of war.
Thus ended the famous seven-days' fighting on the
Peninsula, and thus closed the campaign of the
Chickahominy.
To us it was very disastrous, reducing our army by
sickness, death, the ordinary casualties of war, resig-
nations, and discharges, at least fifty thousand men.
To the rebels, it must have been much more so, in-
20*
234 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
asmiich as their whole military strength had been
concentrated, and brought into the field around Rich-
mond ; and upon the success of their efforts to capture
or annihilate our forces there, they seemed to base their
expectations of final prevalence everywhere, which
would secure the establishment of their nefarious cause
at home, and the recognition of their bogus govern-
ment abroad.
According to official data, the Union loss from June
25 to July 2 inclusive was less than two thousand
killed, about eight thousand wounded, and six thou-
sand missing ; making a grand total of but sixteen
thousand men. The public property abandoned or de-
stroyed, consisted of twenty-five thousand muskets ;
twenty two or three pieces of artillery ; a few wagons,
which broke down and were fired with their contents ;
one complete railroad- train, locomotive, tender, and
cars, which, under a full head of steam, were sent over
a broken bridge pell-mell into the river, and large sup-
plies of ammunition, rations, clothing, equipments,
and tents, — costing in the aggregate five or six mill-
ions of dollars.
The rebel loss in killed and wounded must have
far exceeded ours, as their men were exposed during
most of the fighting to the point blank fire of our bat-
^teries. Of prisoners, we took about three thousand
men. But greater than any other was the rebel loss of
.heart, and confidence in the ultimate establishment
of their cause. Our army, notwithstanding its retreat,
was almost as near to Richmond as before, and in the
course of a few months could be made larger than
ever. We had water communications which could
not be cut off or blockaded ; and the loyal people were
RECONNOISSANCE BY GEN. HOOKER. 235
full of enthusiasm regarding the prosecution of the
war. The prediction contained in Gen. McClellan's
address to the army, issued on the 4th of July, was
not without foundation, therefore, declaring that the
Army of the Potomac should yet enter the capital of
the so-called Confederacy ; the National Constitution
should prevail ; and the Union, which alone could in-
sure internal peace and external security to each State,
must and should be preserved, cost what it might in
time, treasure, and blood.
While in camp, at Harrison's Landing, various ru-
mors reached the army concerning the defenceless
state of Richmond, and the ease with which it could
be assaulted and taken. Partly to determine whether
the roads had been fortified or were held in force, Gen.
Hooker's division, accompanied by a large body of
cavalry, started on a reconnoissance, after dark, Aug.
2, in light marching order ; but in some manner
were misled regarding the roads, and returned to
camp at daybreak, without having accomplished any
thing. Monday night, Aug. 4, the attempt was
renewed, and this time with better success, as at day-
light the skirmishers came upon a battery in position,
which had perfect range of the road over which we
were advancing, and notwithstanding a fog, which
prevented the gunners from seeing the disposition of
our forces, enabled them to land their shells exactly
where they annoyed us the most. As it was not desi-
rable to charge upon them in front, until certain
arrangements had been made which would cut off
their retreat, this fire was endured for some time in
patience. As previously agreed upon, the charge was
then ordered, and, greatly to the mortification of all
236 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
concerned, the enemy were seen escaping by a road
which was supposed to have been most firmly closed
against them ; the officer to whom this duty was
assigned having failed to accomplish it because he had
admitted an enemy into his mouth which had stolen
away his brains. Instead of a thousand or more pris-
oners, we took short of a hundred ; and, instead of a
battery of guns, not a single piece. This ended all
attempts to approach the rebel capital by the Penin-
sula ; and the position of the army at Harrison's Land-
ing was strengthened in the rear with a chain of
redoubts stretching from wing to wing, connected by
a line of infantry covers, in front of wliich the woods
had been felled to form an abatis ; and by the anchor-
age of several gunboats in the James River, along the
front, which really transformed the whole region into
one huge fortress five miles long and three miles
wide.
The following is a list of casualties in the Massa-
chusetts First at the battle of Glendale, as taken from
the official report forwarded by Col. Cowdin to head-
quarters : —
FIELD AND STAFF.
Major Charles P. Chandler, supposed to be wounded
and a prisoner, but afterwards believed to have been
killed.
Company A : Killed, Private Julius A. Phelps.
Wounded,"^ H. M. Finly, J. C. Singer, Charles D.
Gates. Missing, John Odea, WiUiam Menary, Fer-
nando McCrillis.
Company B : Wounded, Lieut. Moses H. Warren,
slightly ; Sergeant W. E. Hayward, Private George
CASUALTIES AT GLENDALE. 237
H. Hanscom, both slightly. Missing, Private George
Barry.
Company C : Wounded, Privates E. Nichols, S. A.
Goodhue. Missing, Private G. E. Wright.
Company D : Killed, Sergeant Frederic Raw.
Wounded, Lieut. William Sutherland, Sergeant Isaac
Williams, Corporal William E,. Rice, Private John
Kyle, all missing.
Company E: Wounded, Lieut. Miles Farwell, slight-
ly. Sergeant Thomas Strangman, Private Conrad Her-
man, Edwin P. Whitman, the two last likewise miss-
ing.
Company F : Wounded, Alexander Gordon. Miss-
ing, Corporal James E. Keeley, Private John Carney,
Edward R. Chandler, Daniel Garrity, Simon Stern.
Company G: Wounded, Timothy Connors, Charles
H. Goodwin, Joshua M. Caswell, Alva J. Wilson, Phil-
lomen White. Missing, first Sergeant R. M. Magguire,
Private John Allen, Edwin Gillpatrick.
Company H : Wounded, Privates John R. Cud-
worth, Thomas Thombs, George H. Green, Nathaniel
Allen.
Company I : Wounded, Privates William Fleming,
John E. Grant, Timothy Hurley, Wentworth Wilson.
Missing, Privates William A. M. Norland, Augustine
Towle, Jeremiah Crowell.
Company K: Killed, William B. Hall, John Do-
lan. Wounded : Lieut. Frank Carruth, slightly, Pri-
vates Lord A. Payson, William Clark, William J.
Hudson, Thomas R. Mathers, George H. Wheeler,
J. W. Nelling. Missing, Wesley Jackson, John P. Ross,
Charles L. Leonard, David B. Copeland.
CHAPTER IX.
Harrison's landing and warrenton junction.
" Not as we hoped ! — but what are we ?
Above our broken dreams and plans
God lays, with wiser hand than man's,
The corner-stones of liberty.
Rejoice in hope ! The day and night
Are one with God, and one with them
Who see by faith the cloudy hem
Of Judgment fringed with Mercy's light."
J. G. Whittier.
HARRISON'S LANDING — so named, according
to report, from the family of President Harri-
son, which formerly lived in the vicinity — was a spot
of land formed by a bend in the James River, twenty-
five miles distant from Richmond in a south-easterly
direction. The land is extremely fertile, bearing im-
mense crops of corn, wheat, clover, and grass, most of
which, at the time of our occupation, had just been
gathered in, or was standing ready for the reaper.
The land sloped down from the woods, from a mile to
three and five miles back to the river, presenting
broad and level surfaces for the labors of the husband-
man ; and the slope continued into the river, which
was shallow for a hundred or a hundred and fifty feet
from the bank. In order to afford facilities for the
deposit of goods, long piers had been constructed, run-
ning out into deep water, called landings ; and these
(-A1;E 01- THE WOrNDED AT HARRISONS LANDING.
THE ARMY AT HARRISON'S LANDING. 239
landings were usually named after the persons upon
whose plantations tliey were built.
No better defensive position could have been chosen
than Harrison's Landing. The bend in the river en-
abled the gunboats to patrol the whole line in front,
while the redoubts and abatis constructed along the
hills constituted an impenetrable barrier to the rear.
The river bottom, shallow yet firm, afforded admira-
ble facilities for washing and bathing; and the long
level plains skirting the banks, the best of parade-
grounds for inspections and reviews. Upon the plan-
tation were several houses, barns, and negro huts,
one fine old residence called the Berkeley Mansion, and
two or three smaller structures, which were at once
appropriated for hospital purposes. The occupants
were not found at home, having removed themselves
and such of their valuables as were portable out of
harm's way, leaving only their rich carpets, elegant
furniture, and other heavy articles, not easily trans-
ported.
Throughout the day succeeding our settlement at
the landing, hospital-attendants, stretcher-bearers, am-
bulance-drivers, surgeons, and their servants, tramped
in and out of these rooms, from cellar to garret, with
boots covered with the adhesive mud of the region at
least six inches deep all round the houses, and at night
the condition of carpets and furniture can easily be
imagined. Every room was crowded to suffocation,
amputations were constantly going on, and men dying
every hour from the effects of wounds and sickness.
As fast as they could be obtained, tents were pitched,
and into these the slightly wounded and moderately
sick were carried, and their wants attended to. Our
240 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
surgeons and hospital corps had been ah-eady well-
nigli broken down by the labors of the previous week,
but tliey took hold here with renewed energy, and,
receiving, invaluable assistance and co-operation from
the agents of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions,
from various benevolent ladies who had come out to
act as nurses and benefactors, and from other volun-
teers, who were ever ready to lend a helping hand
when occasion required it, soon had affairs systema-
tized, and the helpless cared for as well as they could
be under the circumstances.
Fourth of July was celebrated at the landing by
the firing of salutes, the performances of the bands,
and patriotic speeches in various quarters. The com-
manding general had previously gone round among
the several camps, assuring the men that matters wore
a promising aspect on the whole, that re-enforcements
would soon be at hand, and they should enjoy the rest
they needed and had richly earned.
A change of camp was made July 4, by the First
Regiment, in company with the rest of the brigade,
to an open field three-quarters of a mile in the rear of
their first position ; and another ordered to take place
the next night to a permanent camping-ground farther
bacli still, as long as the army should remain at Harri-
son's Landing. Owing to vexatious delays in getting
across certain brooks, the regiment did not arrive in
vicinity of the spot selected till nearly midnight ; and
then the men- threw themselves upon the ground and
slept soundly until morning. At nine o'clock, a.m.,
Sunday, July 6, the final move was made, and the
camp established on a slight elevation, having a pond
and milldam on the right, the rest of the division with
IMMENSE SWARMS OF FLIES. 241
the headquarters of Gens. Hooker and Grover on the
left, a battery in the rear, and the woods in front.
Never did any of God's creatures enjoy pure water
more than the soldiers did this pond and dam. The
dam was so constructed that the fall made a delight-
ful douche bath, while the pond afforded the best
facilities for washing, plunging, and swimming. All
day long the shouts of happy bathers could be heard as
they laved their weakened frames in the invigorating
stream, or allowed its silvery sheet to patter across their
bronzed faces, and down their grateful limbs. The
weatlier here was intensely hot, and the flies so numer-
ous that they blackened every thing with their innu-
merable swarms. A meal was never served but they cov-
ered the food as soon as it was exposed, flew into soups,
gravies, tea, and coffee, and kept hands and arms in
constant motion brushing them off from face and neck.
If Pharaoh suffered any thing like the annoyances
they occasioned to us, it is no wonder he consented so
speedily to let the children of Israel go. To get rid of
them, the men resorted to various devices, such as
planting trees before their quarters, arranging boughs
around their tents, or making the tents as dark as pos-
sible. But the most effectual method seemed t^ be, to
entice them into a trap formed of gunpowder and mo-
lasses, or sugar, and, while they were feasting on the
sweets thus generously provided, to blow up the whole
company. They were thus slaughtered by the million.
But the old sayhig seemed to be verified, that where
one was killed a hundred came to his funeral, for
nothing apparently effected any diminution of their
numbers. Horses suffered even more than men, for
most of them had no coverings whatever, and their
21
242 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
skins were mottled with blotches where they had been
bitten through the hair, while standing in their places.
All day long they were kept stamping and moving
about, so that although they had little or nothing to
do, and were abundantly fed, they actually grew poor,
and wore out more shoes than when employed on
active duty.
Owing to the intense heat, fatigue-details were not
allowed to labor in the woods or trenches during the
middle of the day, but were called up early in the
morning to improve the cooler hours between four and
eight, and summoned again in the afternoon to do simi-
lar service between four and eight in the evening.
This allowed eight hours for work, eight for refreshment
and sleep, and eight for recreation, reading, writing, or
personal improvement ; and was an introduction of the
eight-hour system hardly anticipated by its philan-
thropic advocates in this country or abroad. It is cer-
tainly worth something as a matter of reference, for
had the men been worked ten hours or more in that
hot climate, they would have broken down by scores.
Tuesday, July 8, President Lincoln paid the army a
visit, and, in company with Gen. McClellan and the
corps and division commanders, and others, rode along
the lines to see in what condition the army was. The
troops were formed in front of their quarters, salutes
were fired, bands played "Hail to tlic Chief," and en-
thusiastic cheers rose from all points, showing that the
commander-in-chief of the nation was, as he richly
deserved to be, popular and beloved by the soldiers.
In our rear at this time the rebels were perfectly quiet,
and, with the exception of a few scouts, had fallen
back upon Richmond. They still held James River, how-
BLOCKADE OF THE JAMES RIVER. 243
ever, both above and below us, and, shortly after mail
and supply-steamers began to run regularly between the
Union camp and Fortress Monroe, commenced to annoy
them by pushing up light batteries to the river-bank,
and opening suddenly with shell and canister upon the
passing vessels. At Fort Powhatan, seventy-five miles
up the James River, where the banks rise sixty feet
above high-water mark, they made repeated efforts to
establish a blockade. Failing in this, they got up sud-
den raids upon vessels going up or down, and once
assailed the " Daniel Webster," under the very guns of
the " Sabago " gunboat, whicli was acting as a convoy.
The channel here being only three hundred yards
wide, and close by the hostile shore, afforded an excel-
lent opportunity for a very effective fire. The rebels
improved it to the utmost of their ability, not only
with cannon-shot, but also with Minie-balls from the
rifles of their sharp-shooters. The pilot of the "Daniel
Webster" was struck in the hand, but signalled to the
engineer to put on all steam, and succeeded in getting
out of range without the loss of a soul on board, al-
though various parts of the boat were perforated
through and through by bullets and solid shot. The
gunboat was so situated tliat the rebel batteries might
have swept her deck fore and aft, but fortunately there
was too much elevation to their guns, and the shots all
flew through the rigging. Before the elevation could
be corrected, the "Sabago" swung around, showing
her broadside, opened with the heavy guns at her bow
and stern, and soon sent the rebel gunners scampering
over the fields. Subsequently no vessels were allowed
to go up or down the James without armed convoys,
and at various portions of it gunboats were stationed
244 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
to prevent the erection of earthworks designed to
harass our transports or impede navigation.
About the same time the " Maratanza," gunboat,
while out on picket duty, just above our camping
ground, came suddenly upon a little rebel craft, for-
merly a tug, made into a gunboat called the "Teaser."
Both vessels were hidden by a sliarp curve in the river,
flowing here between high banks, and both were ap-
proaching each other; the "Teaser" coming down,
and the "Maratanza" going up. After they hove in
sight neither could get out of the way; and the "Mara-
tanza," by a few well-directed shots, one of which, a
hundred-pound rifled shell, exploded directly under-
neath the "Teaser's" boilers, completely disabling her,
compelled the little rebel to surrender. She had
numerous papers, charts, maps, plans, and designs of
different fortifications on board, and an old balloon,
made from discarded silk dresses, contributed doubt-
less by rebel women, which it was intended to inflate
and send up for reconnoitring purposes near our
camp at Harrison's Landing.
During the second week in July, while piles of brush
and camp refuse were burning, which had been set
on fire to get them out of the way, a strong wind
l^rought the devouring element towards the tents.
Every thing was dry as tinder, the ground covered with
dead leaves and branches, and it seemed as though the
camp must go. The whole regiment was called out
to fight the raging element ; but it approached nearer
and nearer, rolling up huge volumes of suffocating
smoke, and darting forth fiery tongues which half-
smothered and scorched the men, and, had not some
one suggested the starting of another fire to meet that
MISS HELEN L. GILSON. 245
SO rapidly approaching, the entire encampment must
have been burned to ashes ; as it was, this checked it,
and the tents were saved. About this time Mr. James
L. Jones, of Chelsea, obtained the appointment of
Sutler in the First Regiment, and in company with
liim came Hon. Frank B. Fay and Miss Helen L. Gil-
son, of Chelsea. This estimable young lady devoted
herself assiduously to the welfare of the soldiers in
the First and other Massachusetts regiments, as a
nurse ; and in various division, corps, and army hos-
pitals, from the commencement to the conclusion of
the war, cheerfully performed her self-imposed duties
of patriotic benevolence. She was ever ready with a
kind word, a sweet smile, a moving song, an humble
prayer, a chapter from the Bible, a paper, book, tract,
or a few earnest, friendly words, to cheer the disconso-
late, comfort the sorrowful, assist the living to get
along, or prepare the dying to depart in peace. She
cooked palatable dishes, and prepared large quantities
of tempting broths or cooling drinks for the sick and
wounded, and by years of devoted service endeared
herself alike to officers and men.
Among other welcome visitors during this hot season,
when the daily regimental sick-list ran up to between a
hundred and a hundred and twenty every morning, was
the Rev. Mr. Alvord, Secretary of the American Tract
Society. He came around regularly in a covered wag-
on, which formed his vehicle by day and his tabernacle
by night, bringing not only excellent religious reading
for the mind, but cordials, jellies, farina, preserved
fruits, &c., for the body. His advent was always hailed
with pleasure, and his genial, hearty words listened to
with profit.
21*
246 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
All unusually large number of resignations took place
inthe regiment about the middle of July. Lieut.-Col.
Wells, having been commissioned colonel of the Thirty-
Fourth Regiment, took his leave. Capt. George H.
Smith also resigned on account of ill-health, and re-
turned home. Capt. Alfred W. Adams threw up his
commission for the same reason. Lieut. William P.
Cowie was promoted from the quartermaster's berth
to be brigade commissary, and Lieut. Charles L.
Chandler was commissioned captain in the Thirty-
Fourth Regiment, under Col. Wells.
As soon as the redoubts and breastworks planned
by Gen. McClellan were completed, and the army
placed in a perfectly defensible position, the usual rou-
tine of military life in camp was resumed. Drilling
took the place of digging, and picket duty was dis-
tributed as regularly as it had been formerly at Fair
Oaks. Several new regiments were added to divisions
and corps greatly reduced in available material, and
large accessions of fresh men received from the North-
ern States.
At midnight, on July 31, the whole camp was
alarmed by a sudden fire of artillery, which opened
from across the James upon our mail-boat landing,
and the headquarters of Col. Ligals at Westover, close
by. At first it was believed that the long-expected
visit from rebel iron-clads, which had been for so many
months in course of preparation at Richmond, and for
which our fleet had been most tlioroughly prepared,
was at last being paid. But the small caliber of
the guns and the steady direction of the firing soon
proved the contrary, and it was discovered that some
batteries of field artillery had been posted, under cover
NIGHT ATTACK BY THE REBELS. 247
of night, nearly opposite our position, which were in
full play upon every thing within range of their shot.
The river at this point was narrower than below or
above, being hardly three-quarters of a mile wide, and
was crowded with steamers, schooners, tugs, canal-boats,
and transports of all descriptions. Very few of them
were hit, except in the rigging, as the guns were ele-
vated to reach across to the other side. A continuous
stream of shot and shell went whizzing and hissing
among the tents and wagons, however, illuminating
the whole encampment with a sudden flash when shells
exploded, and causing men and animals to move
about and make for the rear in the liveliest manner
conceivable.
-The rebel batteries were three in number, mounting
six, ten, and twelve-pounders ; and the men who
worked them were evidently intent upon accomplish-
ing a large amount of mischief in a short space of
time,' for they loaded and fired with remarkable ce-
lerity, and the flashes and reports of their guns were
almost incessant. Our own gunboats at this time were
away up the river, expecting the advent of tlie rebel
iron-clads, so that with the exception of the flag-ship,
" Wachusett," and the " Cimerone," we had nothing
available with which to reply to the hostile assault.
As speedily as possible these moved up, and opened
upon the assailants, and a portion of the First Con-
necticut Heavy Artillery was double-quicked to the
river bank, where several rifled thirty-two-pound Par-
rots were planted, and these were managed with such
telling effect, that the fire of the rebels instantaneously
slackened, and in less than twenty minutes it had
ceased altogether. No doubt they had hoped to spread
248 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
consternation through our army, set fire to our steam-
ers and transports in the river, and destroy life and
property along the bank ; but only four men and a
few mules were killed, five men wounded, and a couple
of tents rendered useless by the explosion of shells.
Determined not to be annoyed in this way again,
two regiments from Gen. Porter's corps were em-
barked the next day upon steamers, carried across
the river and landed, under the guns of the " Mahas-
ka," on the opposite bank. Squads of hostile cavalry
were observed flying about with the utmost activity ;
but after throwing out pickets, the regiments proceed-
ed to burn every habitation in the vicinity whence
the firing of the previous night had proceeded. Ten
dwelling-houses were reduced to ashes in the course of
the day ; among them, the splendid family mansion
of Edmund Ruffin, who aimed and fired the first gun
at Fort Sumter, in the beginning of the war, and, at
its conclusion, blew out his own brains, with a pistol,
becaiise it had not succeeded. During this work of
destruction our troops were entirely unmolested, and
returned at night without the loss of a man. The
enemy never repeated the bombardment again by day
or night.
Nothwithstanding an abundant quantity of water
for washing and bathing, the camps at Harrison's
Landing were but poorly supplied with water for cook-
ing and drinking. In our own regiment, tlierefore, a
well was sunk, and the earth excavated to the depth
of twenty-five or thirty feet to obtain the article de-
sired. Above a stratum of hard blue clay, so dense
that images and other ornaments were made of it by
the men, were found the remains of an ancient forest,
ABOLITION OF REGIMENTAL BANDS. 249
at least twenty feet below the surface of the ground ;
and one day the diggers came across and sent up to
the surface a live toad, which had not seen daylight for
thousands of years, if ever.
The expenses of Government were now counting up
to millions a day ; and, in casting about to see how they
might be lessened without detriment to the service, it
was concluded that regimental bands might be dis-
pensed with, and, by allowing only a band to a brigade,
a large amount of money, in the aggregate, be saved
in course of the year. To the majority of the ihen such
a method of retrenchment was distasteful, especially
when accompanied by the most extravagant expendi-
tures in other departments, against which not a word
of, remonstrance was ever heard. The music of the
bands exercised a salutary moral influence over all
that heard it, and cheered them up after the exhaus-
tions of fatigue duty, or during the tedium of camp
routine. It was a great addition, moreover, to the im-
pressiveness of dress parades, guard-mountings, and
general reviews ; and the sum required in course of
a year to pay the musicians was so small a portion
of the grand amount, that it seemed hardly worth a
serious consideration ; but the project was carried out,
and we soon bade adieu to the members of our regi-
mental band, and never were allowed to have another
during the remainder of our period of service.
An excellent move was made in the medical depart-
ment of the United-States army, subsequent to the
Peninsular campaign, allowing every full regiment to
have two assistant surgeons instead of one. It was
found that in ordinary camp duty one was hardly suf-
ficient, and during an engagement serious suffering
250 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
and loss of life resulted from so meagre a supply of
skilful and experienced practitioners. To the Medical
Staff of the First Regiment Dr. T. Fletcher Oakes, of
South Dartmouth, was added at Harrison's Landing,
giving us a full complement in this department, when,
on account of the sickness of Surgeon Richard H.
Salter, it was greatly needed.
Throughout the army, at this time, the surgeons
had their hands full of business. In many cases the
Chickahominy fever, brought from the bogs and ditches
of White-oak Swamp, developed itself with fatal effect.
Diseases induced by exhaustion, hot weather, excite-
ment, and over-work, also abounded, and kept at least
twenty per cent, of the troops on the list of " excused
from duty."
Of our own regiment, four died in camp, namely,
Alfred A. Swallow, quartermaster's sergeant ; Thomas
W. Reynolds, Company D ; Edward A. Derby, Company
F ; and Henry Tarbox, Company G.
Their funerals were attended by all the men of the
regiment, and a feeling of solemnity seemed to pervade
their hearts fully equal to that usually observable at
home on similar occasions.
The second battle of Malvern Hill, described in
Chapter VHI., which was fought Tuesday, Aug. 5,
caused the death of but few among the Union forces
engaged, and none connected with the Massachusetts
First. Only one man of this command was injured,
and he not seriously, — John A. Emory, of Company
E, by a contusion in the side.
Aug. 6, some twenty of our number, taken pris-
oners of war during the seven-days' fighting on the
Peninsula, were exchanged by the authorities at Rich-
MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT EXCHANGED. 251
mond, and returned to their places. Most of them
looked very thin and worn ; and all averred that they
had seen enough of rebel fare and rebel quarters.
They were allowed only one-fourth of a loaf of bread
and a small piece of fresh meat, per day, to a man,
without tea, coffee, sugar, or vegetables ; and to obtain
fresh water were obliged to dig wells, or dip up that
flowing in the river. They were poorly supplied with
tents ; and the sick were wickedly neglected. Their
guards were civil enough, as a general thing, espe-
cially as through them they carried on a constant trade
for provisions and clothing such as could be bought in
Richmond ; and to a man the rebels preferred green-
backs to their own money. In passing through the
streets, to and from prison, the men seemed to regard
them with aversion or indifference ; but occasionally
§ome imp of a woman would stick out her lip, turn up
her nose, or twitch away her skirt from contact with
their clothing, showing how much more petty and
spiteful was the hostility of the secesh feminine than
of the secesh masculine ; but now and then they saw
looks, heard whispers, and received bounties from fair
hands, that made their hearts bound under their jack-
ets, and convinced them that in the very hot-bed and
headquarters of rebellion loyal souls still remained,
and still continued steadfast to the Union and its
brave defenders. They reported fortifications of great
strength around Richmond, and an immense array of
troops gathered and gathering continually from all
parts of the South ; but were assured that the rebel
leaders were becoming more and more unpopular, and
the rebel cause was losing ground. During most of
the month of July, great uncertainty was felt at Wash-
252 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
iiigtoii regarding the best disposition to make of the
Army of the Potomac. That it was one of the best
armed, best trained, best led, and most experienced
armies in the country, everybody felt ; but it was not
large enough to advance unaided against the formidable
line of earthworks around Richmond, covering, as was
then estimated, fully one hundred thousand of the
enemy's forces ; nor could it be reenforced without
seriously weakenhig other important points, and per-
chance exposing Washington itself to the danger of
capture.
On the 26th of July, Gen. Ilalleck, who three days
previously had been made, by order of President Lin-
coln, General-in-Chief of all the Union land forces,
and Gen. Burnside, accompanied by Gen. Meigs, ar-
rived at Harrison's Landing, and held a long consulta-
tion with Gen. McClellan. The latter general thought
that with fifty thousand fresh men he might venture
another assault upon Richmond. Gen. Halleck could
not promise him over twenty thousand. He told Gen.
Halleck he would try and do something with that
number ; but, immediately after his departure to Wash-
ington, telegraphed to him that it was impossible, and
he must have thirty-five thousand, or nothing could be
attempted. The thirty-five thousand could not possi-
bly be obtained, and therefore a telegram was for-
warded, ordering the withdrawal of the entire army
from the James River, to take place the 3d of August.
Against this Gen. McClellan respectfully protested,
alleging that it might prove a fatal blow to the Union
cause ; that it would necessitate a march of one hun-
dred and twenty-five miles ; that it would greatly
demoralize the army, depress the loyal people of the
ORDER TO WITHDRAW THE ARMY. 253
North, encourage the enemy, and tempt armed inter-
vention from foreign powers. He also suggested that
at Harrison's Landing he was nearer the centre and
life of the Rebellion than he could get in any other
direction ; that his water communications were per-
fect ; that he could rely upon the powerful aid of the
gunboats ; that a decided Union victory in the vicinity
of Richmond might crush the military strength of the
enemy forever ; and that plenty of reenforcements
were available, if they could only be withdrawn from
such points as Harper's Ferry, Newport News, &c.,
where their presence was by no means absolutely
necessary. To this Gen. Halleck replied, that his
order had been issued only after careful and mature
deliberation of the questions involved, and in accord-
ance with the advice of the highest officers whose
views had been solicited ; that it was utterly impos-
sible to spare the troops needed for reenforcements,
without uncovering the capital, Maryland, and even
Pennsylvania ; that the location at Harrison's Landing
was extremely insalubrious, and was growing rapidly
more so ; that the reduction of Fort Darling and the
James-River batteries, which must necessarily precede
any assault upon Richmond, would require considera-
ble time ; and that the enemy, who had now gathered
an immense army, might leave men enough to resist
his operations, and send another force sufficiently large
to rout Gen. Pope, force him behind the defences of
Washington, and lay siege to and take that city by
assault before Gen. McClellan's army could be of any
service whatever in opposing the movement. There-
fore the order must be obeyed.
Upon this, it was decided to make a retreat down
254 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
the left bank of the James River, to Yorktown, and
possibly Fortress Monroe ; and, to divert rebel attention
from the projected movement. Gen. Pope's forces were
advanced across the R-appahamiock, in the direction
of Culpepper Court House.
Preparations were made straightway to evacuate
Harrison's Landing. The sick and wounded were
sent to Fortress Monroe. Supplies of every description,
piled up along the river-bank, were transferred to the
vessels which brought them, and conveyed away. All
surplus baggage, tents, stores, and property, public
and private, were gathered together, and sent down to
the wharves. Thursday, Aug. 14, the right wing
departed ; and the next day, after waiting from ten
o'clock, A.M., until two and a half, p.m., the brigade of
Gen. Grover brought up the rear of the left.
Meantime, as early as June 27, a new army had been
created by President Lincoln, called the "Army of Vir-
ginia," comprising the troops under Gens. Fremont,
Banks, McDowell, and Sturgis ; and the command of
it assigned to Major-Gen. John Pope. The Army of the
Potomac, after its withdrawal from the Peninsula, was
ordered to reenforce the Army of Virginia, and be
subject to the commands of its principal officer. Gen.
Pope. Tins was an indirect displacement of Gen.
McClellan, and must have galled liim to the quick.
Gen. Pope was delayed from taking the field as
quickly as he otherwise might, by the absence of Gen.
Halleck from Washington. He busied himself, how-
ever, in ascertaining the strength and condition of his
fprces, indicating tlie manner in which he proposed to
meet the enemy, and sending out various addresses
and general orders, which were all aflame with patri-
REJOICING IN RICHMOND. 255
otic fire, and full of vigor and determination respecting
the approaching campaign.
People living along lines of railroads, telegraphs,
and common routes of travel, were to be held respon-
sible for their good order and preservation ; every
house sheltering an actual assailant of the soldiers
was to be razed with the ground ; disloyal citizens, un-
willing to take the oath of allegiance, were liable to
arrest, or removal beyond the Union lines ; and forage
was to be appropriated without question, whenever
found in the enemy's country.
Under the influence of these orders, large numbers
of houses were entered, females were insulted, private
property plundered, and many grievous outrages per-
petrated, which induced the rebels to declare, by way
of retaliation, that Gen. Pope had placed himself with-
out the pale of civilized warfare ; and both he and his
officers, in the event of capture, should be considered
and treated only as highwaymen.
The departure of Gen. McClellan from the Peninsula
caused great rejoicings in Richmond, inasmuch as it
gave Gen. Lee an opportunity to assume the offensive,
which he had long been desiring to do. Stonewall
Jackson, by compelling Gen. Banks to evacuate the
Shenandoah Valley, had demonstrated, so it was
thought at Richmond, the feasibility of recovering the
whole of Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky ; of liber-
ating Maryland ; of capturing Washington and Balti-
more ; and extending the tide of conquest from Harris-
burg and Philadelphia in the east, to Cincinnati and
St. Louis in the west.
Fired with the idea of this brilliant prospect, the
rebel authorities immediately began preparations for
1^56 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT,
an advance towards Maryland. No less than one hun-
dred and fifty thousand men had been gathered, armed,
accoutred, and equipped at the rebel capital ; and of
these, at least one hundred and twenty thousand could
be spared for the proposed invasion.
As early as the first week in August, they began to
move ; and by Saturday, the 9th, appeared in strong
force at Cedar Mountain, a sugar-loaf eminence, two
miles west of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, in
the rear of Culpepper Court House. Here they were
met by Gen. Banks, at the head of tlie second army
corps of the Army of Virginia, and after a sangui-
nary conflict, much of which was hand to hand, com-
pelled to fall back. The Union loss was fifteen hun-
dred killed, wounded, and missing, fifteen hundred
muskets, two Napoleon guns, and some ammunition.
The rebel loss was equally severe in men, including
the two generals. Winder and Trimble. The enemy
retired with such precipitancy, after the engagement,
as to leave many of their dead and wounded uncared
for on the ground ; from which it was concluded that
the bulk of their forces had not yet come up.
Shortly after, a party of horsemen were surprised at
Louisa Court House, near the Rapidan, and made pris-
oners. Upon one of them was found an important
autograph letter from Gen. Lee, indicating his inten-
tion to hurry up his forces to the position occupied by
Gen. Pope, attack him before he could be re enforced
by the Army of the Potomac, interrupt his communi-
cations with Washington, and thus capture or destroy
his entire army. A telegram was immediately de-
spatched by Gen. Halleck, ordering him to fall back
across the Rapidan, and look well to his flanks. At
THE RETROGRADE MOVEMENT. 257
the same time, Gen. Cox, in Western Virginia, was or-
dered to send the principal part of his troops at once
to Gen. Pope ; and couriers were started off to urge
forward the columns of Gen. McClellan with all pos-
sible speed.
On Friday, Aug. 15, the Army of the Potomac
left Harrison's Landing in the rear, and commenced a
retrograde movement towards Williamsburg and York-
town. It was anticipated that some difficulty would
be experienced from assaults in the rear; but, as the
rebels had sent all their available forces in the direc-
tion of Culpepper and Manassas, this anticipation was
not realized, and the division encamped that night four
miles below Charles City Court House, near the bank
of" James River, at nine o'clock, having been unmo-
lested through the day.
The court house and jail were the principal build-
ings of this Virginia town, there being only a store, a
couple of dwellings, some barns, and a few negro huts
in addition. The country was looking finely in all
directions, and the plantations in a fair state of culti-
vation.
The march was resumed on the 16th, and continued
to within a short distance of the Chickahominy River.
There was some trouble here about rations, on account
of the distribution of smoked pork that was tainted.
The men refused to receive it, and appealed to their
officers in their behalf. The officers, of course, sus-
tained them ; and a better article was obtained.
On the 17th, the Chickahominy was crossed ; and,
after a long and fatiguing march, the village of Bar-
hamsville reached. Here the shop of a blacksmith
who had been heard talking treason, was torn down,
22*
258 rilE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
and the boards appropriated for the comfort of the
soldiers.
On the 18th, Williamsburg was reached ; and dur-
ing that day and the next considerable time was spent
in revisiting the spots wliere the hardest fighting oc-
curred on the previous 5th of May.
After remaining two nights in the vicinity of York-
town, the regiment embarked on board the steamer
" Vanderbilt," weighed anchor, and proceeded down
the river towards Chesapeake Bay. Just at the mouth
of the river, the vessel ran aground, and stuck fast all
night, despite every exertion made to get her off.
The next morning she floated again, and the trip was
resumed. As it was not possible to accommodate the
regimental teams and horses of the field and staff upon
the steamer, they were sent down, in charge of wagon-
masters and officers' servants, to Fortress Monroe,
thence to be shipped on board schooners and other
craft to Alexandria. As they did not arrive at the
latter place till after the regiment had been ordered
away, the officers were obliged to go without their
usual changes of apparel ; and those who had been
accustomed to ride were afforded an undesired oppor-
tunity of learning how much better it was to walk.
The passage up the Potomac was not varied by any
incident worthy special mention ; and on Sunday, the
24th, Alexandria was readied, the regiment disem-
barked, marched through the city, and encamped for
the night near Fort Ellsworth, about four miles out.
Here were met an immense number of troops belong-
ing to the various divisions and corps of Gen. McClel-
lan's army, who were being hurried up in the direction
of the Rappahannock as fast as possible ; and here it
PROMOTIONS. 259
was first ascertained that Gen. Pope was falling back,
with Gen. Lee in his front, and that there was a likeli-
hood of a great battle being fought any day.
Just before sundown, on the 25th, the regiment took
the cars, and was carried up to Warrenton Junction,
a distance of forty-one miles from Alexandria. The
enemy were so near, that they attacked and burned
the very train which brought the First to the scene of
action, as it was going back empty ; and the next
day attacked another train which was coming up full,
wounding several, disabling the engine, and capturing
a few prisoners.
The streams at this time were very much swollen
by recent rains, preventing the passage of the rebel
infantry, artillery, and wagon-trains ; and to this
fact is owing the achievement of a junction between
the Army of Virginia and the Army of the Potomac,
before Lee could make his grand assault.
Just before the regiment left Harrison's Landing,
the following promotions and appointments were offi-
cially announced : —
Capt. Clark B. Baldwin, Company E, was made
lieutenant-colonel.
Capt. Sumner Carruth, Company H, was made
major. This meritorious officer was subsequently pro-
moted to be lieutenant-colonel and colonel of the
Thirty-fifth Massachusetts, and finally brevetted briga-
dier-general for gallantry in action.
First Lieut. George E. Henry was made captain of
Company F ; First Lieut. Francis W. Carruth was
made captain of Company K; First Lieut. William
C. Johnston was made captain of Company E ; First
Lieut. Charles L. Chandler was made captain of Com-
260 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
pany A ; First Lieut. Horatio Roberts was made cap-
tain of Company H. Second Lieut. John McDonough
was made first lieutenant of Company G ; Second Lieut.
F. A. Pelby was made first lieutenant of Company I ;
Second Lieut. Henry Parkinson was made first lieuten-
ant of Company B ; Second Lieut. M. H. Warren was
made first lieutenant of Company C ; Second Lieut.
Henry Hartley was made first lieutenant of Company
F ; Sergeant John S. Mandeville was made first lieu-
tenant of Company K ; Acting Sergeant-Major George
W. Harris was made second lieutenant of Company I ;
Sergeant S. K. Morris was made second lieutenant
of Company B ; Ordnance-Sergeant John S. Willey
was made second lieutenant of Company D ; Sergeant
John S. Clark was made second lieutenant of Company
D ; Sergeant George L. Lawrence was made second
lieutenant of Company G ; Sergeant Nathaniel Averill
was made second lieutenant of Company K ; Corporal
William C. Manning was made sergeant-major, and
Sergeant James G. Miller quartermaster's sergeant.
\ , \ V
&
ik
IN THE WOOD? AT THE SECOND BULL RUN
CHAPTER X.
BRISTOW STATION, SECOND BULL RUN, AND CHANTILLY.
" Shoulder to shoulder stand the brother bands,
Brave hearts and tender, with undaunted eye;
With manly patience ready to endure;
With gallant daring resolute to die.
They know not fear ; for what have they to fear
Who all have counted, and have all resigned.
And laid their lives a solemn offering down
For laws, for truth, for freedom, for mankind? "
Mrs. H. B. Stowe.
THE Orange and Alexandria Railroad, by which
Gen. Pope received his supplies, was the object
aimed at by Gen. Lee. The stations on this road were
the Springfield Station, nine miles distant from Alex-
andria; Burke's Station, fourteen; Fairfax, eighteen;
Union Mills, twenty-three ; Manassas Junction, twenty-
seven ; Bristow Station, thirty-one; Catlett's, thirty-
eight ; Warrenton Junction, forty-one ; Bealton, forty-
seven ; Rappahannock, fifty-one ; Brandy Station,
fifty-six ; Culpepper, sixty-two ; and Mitchell's, sixty-
nine.
Friday night, the 22d, Gen. Stuart, of the rebel cav-
alry, made a daring raid upon Catlett's Station, which
contributed not a little towards compelling Gen. Pope
to move to the rear. Considering Catlett's a safe posi-
tion, a large number of wagons were parked there, in-
cluding those filled with the personal baggage of Gen.
262 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Pope himself, and that of his staff. At midnight, the
bold raider appeared, scattered the few guards from a
Pennsylvania regiment and the Purnell Legion of Ma-
ryland, who disputed his will ; set fire to the trains,
which, however, a drenching rain speedily extin-
guished ; took all the sick out of the hospital, and
mounted them on two hundred horses he had stolen
from Gen. Pope's train ; and then deliberately helped
himself to all the personal baggage of Gen. Pope and
staff, and made off.
A series of manoeuvres were now executed by the
two armies ; the design of Gen. Lee being to reach
the Union rear, and cut in between the Union forces and
Washington ; that of Gen. Pope to fall back, without
disorder or panic, and hold the rebels in front or
flank.
Bridges which had been destroyed across rivers by
the Federal rear were reconstructed by the rebel ad-
vance ; fords of creeks and runs which were guarded
in strong force by cavalry and artillery were assaulted,
taken, regained, and held; roads barricaded by trees
were cleared, used for a time, lost, and barricaded
again. For seven days. Gen. Lee exhausted the re-
sources of strategy and generalship, trying to penetrate
the Union front, or outflank the left wing. Up the
north fork of the Eappahanno'ck, and down again, his
forces roved, making here and there an experimental
crossing to effect a lodgement on the left bank, only to
get severely handled, and driven back again.
Provided he could be held in this manner until the
Army of the Potomac came up from Alexandria, and
Gen. Burnside's forces arrived, after evacuating Fred-
ericksburg and Aquia Creek, Washington was safe;
JUNCTION OF THE FEDERAL ARMIES. 263
otlierwise it was in danger. Every thing hinged upon
this uncertainty.
At one time, it seemed as though every thing would
be lost on account of it, because the forces of Gen.
Lee were so numerous, that he could spare twenty
thousand men to operate on either flank of the Union
army, while he still pressed down upon the front ; and,
pursuing this course, he had already begun to turn
Gen. Pope's right in the direction of Manassas, before
the divisions of the Army of the Potomac, which he
had ordered to rendezvous there, had arrived, and
while he was still encamped at Warren ton and War-
renton Junction. Fearing that he might be cut off in
spite of all that he could do, he hastily abandoned the
vicinity of Warrenton, and was falling back in three
columns towards Manassas, when he encountered Gen.
Heintzelman's corps coming up from Alexandria with-
out artillery, wagons, or horses for the field and gen-
eral officers, but with ten thousand as good men as
ever loaded a rifle or fixed a bayonet. At the same
time, one division of Gen. Porter's corps arrived at
Bealton Station, eleven miles south of Warrenton
Junction, and another division reached Kelley's Ford,
on the Rappahannock River, within supporting distance
of the First ; both divisions having marched day and
night from Fredericksburg, so that the men were com-
pletely prostrated with fatigue. If these could not be
called fresh troops in such a crippled and exhausted
condition, their arrival was, at the same time, a relief
and an embarrassment to Gen. Pope, because he hardly
knew whether to send them back to drive Stonewall
Jackson from Manassas Junction, or to retain them at
the front to withstand the advance of Gen. Lee. It
264 . THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
was a situation of great perplexity, from which, how-
ever, he was speedily relieved by the activity of the
rebel raiders. An immense amount of stores, supplies,
and baggage, was gathered at this time at Manassas
Junction, and all along the line of the railroad as
far up as Warrenton. The rebels were determined to
have this, or to insure its destruction. They carried
out this determination with complete success.
The First Regiment having arrived at Warrenton
Junction, in company witli the rest of Gen. Grover's
brigade, on the niglit of the 25th, encamped close by
the railroad until morning, and then withdrew into a
pleasant field on the left, where, with an abundance of
straw from neighboring wheat-stacks, good springs
of clear water, and admirable facilities for washing and
bathing in Cedar Creek, that ran alongside the camp,
the soldiers promised themselves a season of respite
from the fatigue and turmoil of fighting. But it was
not to be. The luxury of sleep was ru.dely broken
before daylight on the morning of the 27tli, and every
man ordered to fall in, with three days' rations and forty
rounds of ammunition, for an immediate start. Most
of the tents were left behind, and all the officers' bag-
gage, to be packed into cars at the leisure of the
quartermaster's sergeant. Hospital stores, including
surgeons' amputating-cascs, commissary supplies, mus-
kets, and other material, were to be disposed of in a
similar manner. Gen. Hooker's entire division was on
the move thus early to prevent Stonewall Jackson from
getting across Gen. Pope's line of retreat. During the
night previous, two bridges on the railroad had been
injured or destroyed, leaving enormous trains above
them on the track, entirely cut off from connection with
BATTLE AT BRISTOW STATION. 265
Washington. Unless these bridges could be rebuilt,
and the rebels driven back, not only must hundreds of
double cars, loaded with public property, and several
valuable locomotives, be abandoned or destroyed, but
the personal baggage of over a thousand officers must
share the same fate.
The division marched down the railroad, past War-
renton Junction to Catlett's, without meeting the
enemy, and continued cautiously to feel its way to-
wards Bristow, seven miles beyond. The heat of the
day was most oppressive ; and the men, having been
marched ten miles at a rapid rate, were completely out
of breath, when, just as they emerged in line of battle
upon an open plain, skirted by a thick growth of young
pines, in the neighborhood of Bristow Station, the
enemy opened upon them with artillery, and at once
checked their advance. Skirmishers were deployed
immediately ahead of the column, led by the New-
Jersey and Excelsior brigades ; and an assault ordered
in force. It was most gallantly made. The rebels,
under cover, greeted our advance with a galling fire,
before which many a brave fellow was stricken to the
earth. Their artillery held on until the cannoneers
were shot from the guns so rapidly, that it became cer-
tain destruction to attempt to load them ; and then they
were limbered up and drawn away. The infantry
supports in their rear speedily followed, and the Union
skirmishers pursued, completely clearing the position
they had held, and occupying it themselves. The
severe fighting lasted less than two hours, and was
succeeded by the scattered and irregular fire of the
skirmishers, which continued until dark.
The main body of the rebels, under Stonewall Jack-
266 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
son at this time, was at Manassas, where, on the previous
evening, tliey had captured a depot of supplies, burned
an immense quantity, and carried away enough to last
their entire forces during the subsequent foray into Mary-
land. Gen. Pope had calculated that the Army of the
Potomac would have arrived from Alexandria in season
to prevent this ; but Stonewall Jackson was too quick,
or Gen. McClellan was too slow ; and his calculations
failed. The amount of stores taken may be judged
from the report made afterwards by Gen. Lee, that
they captured so much more than they could use or
carry away, that vast quantities were burned. The
forces of Gen. Lee numbered at least one hundred
thousand men, capable of appropriating a prodigious
amount of plunder.
At Bristow Station, the troops engaged were only a
portion of Stonewall Jackson's column under Gen.
Ewell ; and, as Jackson himself was in a very difficult
and dangerous situation, it was no part of his policy to
scatter his men, while the enemy were about. Gen.
Ewell, therefore, immediately fell back, leaving all his
dead and wounded, amounting to three hundred men,
in the hands of Gen. Hooker's division, and most of
his camp equipage just as it had been used a few hours
before by his own soldiers. Rebel cattle were lying
slaughtered on the plain, all ready to be cut up into
rations of fresh meat ; rebel fires were burning brightly,
baking bread, boiling vegetables, and frying pork ; and
rebel knapsacks, haversacks, and blankets were found
where they had been deposited for safe-keeping, when
the line was formed hastily at noon to repel Gen.
Hooker's assault.
Of forty rounds of cartridges distributed at the com-
STONEWALL JACKSON. 267
meiicement of this fight among the Union troops, but
five remained when it was over, and more it was impos-
sible to get then, as every thing had been left with the
wagons at Warrenton Junction, when the division
hurried away in the morning. Gen. Morrell, therefore,
was directed to march to the relief of Gen. Hooker's
division; and orders were communicated to Gen. Banks
to bring his corps, with all tlie trains, artillery, and
public property which could be removed, to this side
of Cedar Creek, destroying the rest, and holding the
fords. Trains of cars were accordingly hurried down
the road, loaded at the various camping stations, and
drawn to the rear. Muskets were pitched into wells
and brooks, or broken to pieces over stone walls.
Quartermasters' and commissary stores were gathered
into vacant houses or barns, and set fire to. Valuable
hospital-supplies, including books, surgical instru-
ments, and costly medicines, were thus disposed of, and
every thing else removed.
There was nothing now left for Stonewall Jackson
to do but to retreat. Only one line was open to him,
and he could hardly pursue that without the capture
of a large part, if not the whole of his army, unless re-
enforced by Gen. Lee. Gainesville, on the road to
Thoroughfare Gap, was held in force by Gens. Rey-
nolds, Siegel, and McDowell. Centreville, in his rear,
was in the direct line of march taken by all of Gen.
Pope's troops, and soon to be the rendezvous of what-
ever fresh divisions might be sent up from Alexandria.
The road to Centreville he took, however, and his rear
guard left the place on the 28th, just as the advance
of Gen. Heintzelman's corps entered it. Pushing on
with the utmost despatch, he met Gen. Reno in one
268 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
direction, and Gen. Porter in another. Backward,
forward, and on both sides, the way seemed closing up
against him, and in another day his entire command
would have been surrounded and captured ; but, as
Providence had ordered it, during the night of the
28th, Gen. Ricket, who held Thoroughfare Gap, in the
Bull Run Mountains, withdrew his division, so as not
to be assaulted in rear and flank by Gen. Lee, and in
front by Gen. Longstreet, and thus allowed Longstreet
to bring his forces through the Gap to the relief of
Jackson. Had this Gap been held, as it should have
been, the surrender or capture of Jackson and all his
forces must have been inevitable. This would greatly
have weakened and disheartened the rebels, and so
strengthened and inspirited our troops, that the offen-
sive might have been resumed at once. The Gap
once abandoned to the rebels, was improved by them
to the utmost. On the road to it the advance of Gen.
Jackson encountered Gen. King's Union division, and,
after a sanguinary engagement, during which there
was great loss of life on both sides, compelled it to re-
tire, leaving the way open for Longstreet to effect the
desired junction with himself. For twenty-four hours
subsequently the rebels were thronging through the
Gap, and Jackson rested his wearied men preparatory
to another assault upon our position.
On both sides the condition of things was now en-
tirely changed. Stonewall Jackson had troops enough
not only to hold his own, but to resume the offensive
again at the first favorable opportunity, while Gen.
Lee, having parted with Longstreet, and so far
weakened his columns, was made more wary and cau-
tious in his approaches. Gen. Pope continued to fall
SCARCITY OF SUPPLIES. 269
back, but without the least precipitation, inasmuch as
having now effected a junction with most of the Army
of the Potomac, he felt fully equal to the risk of a
pitclied battle, even with the whole of Gen. Lee's
force.
The only drawback among the Union soldiers was
the lack of rations and forage. Of these the enemy had
captured and destroyed such a large quantity that there
was not a corps, division, or brigade which did not
seriously feel the scarcity. Green apples were grow-
ing on the trees, and green corn standing in the fields.
To these hundreds of men helped themselves, and
upon them subsisted two or three days, not able to ob-
tain any thing better. Such provender added neither
to. their strength nor confidence, however, and about
this time became manifest a decided inclination to fall
back into the defences of Washington.
Various causes led to this. There was a growing
distrust in the ability of Gen. Pope to oversee and con-
trol the movements of so large a body of men as had
been placed under his command, scattered about as
they then were, and to cope successfully with such
able antagonists as Lee, Jackson, Longstreet, and
Ewell. Throughout the Army of the Potomac, the
semi-removal of McClellan had likewise occasioned a
feeling of disaffection, which prevented the men from
doing their duty with the enthusiasm and alacrity for
which they had been distinguished, and so made mat-
ters worse. Among the Union generals, at the same
time, there was very little unity of feeling. They did
not cooperate promptly, nor act on all occasions har-
moniously. Most unfortunately, too. Gen. McClellan
did not come up in person with his army, feeling,
23*
270 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
doubtless, tliat Gen. Pope would prefer to manage its
several corps separately, than to dispose of it through
him as a whole. No one can wonder at Gen. McClel-
lan's feelings at such a time, and after such experi-
ences as he had just passed through ; but their
indulgence, under the circumstances, was a serious
detriment to the national weal, and, if a criticism may-
be allowed, would have been sacrificed with more
credit and honor to himself than accrued from their
manifestation. The Army of the Potomac, if the fact
must be stated, felt broken up when it left Alexandria,
in isolated corps, divisions, and brigades, without
any general officer ; and it felt only a little more so
when it was driven back, a few days afterwards, upon
the defences of Washington, with the loss of Kearney,
Stevens, and many of its choicest officers and men.
As if to make defeat a certainty, there was an unusual
amount of blundering, confusion, and uncertainty,
which in great armies always exist in a greater or less
degree, and which in this instance seem to have been
unavoidable and almost continual.
The First Regiment, with the rest of Gen. Grover's bri-
gade, remained at Bristow Station during most of the
day of Thursday the 28th, watching the columns of Gen.
Pope's army, as they marched by them in the direc-
tion of Centreville, ransacking such abandoned camps
and habitations as were within reach, j)rincipally for
food ; and at three o'clock took up the line of march
towards Manassas Junction. The Bull-Ptun battle-
held was reached before dark ; and the mounds of the
departed, — mostly without head-boards, — pieces of
shells, old caps, shreds of clothing, and scraps of leather
lying about, awakened a melanclioly interest among
GEN. POPE'S PLAN OF OPERATIONS. 271
most of the men, who, thirteen months and one week
before, had trodden the same ground in conflict with
the same haughty and insolent foe.
Notwithstanding a smart shower which had fallen
during the afternoon, portions of the dried grass and
weeds which covered the battle-field were burning
briskly, sending up dense clouds of smoke to the heav-
ens ; and the thunder of a distant cannonade in the
direction of Gainesville, on the Warrenton Turnpike,
betokened a sharp engagement with the enemy. The
troops here rested on their arms until two o'clock
next morning, when they were called up, and marched
rapidly in the direction of Centreville. Arriving at
Centreville, they were halted upon the slope of a hill,
facing Thoroughfare Gap, until a day's rations were
served out ; and at nine o'clock they were moved for-
ward in the direction of Gainesville, where a battle
was then raging between a portion of the rebel
army and Gens. Siegel's and Reynolds' divisions on the
west. It was Gen. Pope's plan to attack Longstreet
and Jackson simultaneously on three sides, — through
Hooker, Kearney, and Reno on the east. Porter and
King on the south, and McDowell and Siegel on the
west. The latter generals commenced fighting early
in the morning, and continued their efibrts all day.
Gen. Hooker brought his forces along at noon. The bri-
gade of Gen. Grover supported a battery until the middle
of the afternoon, when, the gunners having been driven
from their position, the infantry advanced to force
the enemy out of the woods in front of them. Yery
few men were visible, although bullets were flying
about by hundreds. Upon receiving an order to charge.
Gen. Grover very naturally asked, " Charge where ?"
272 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
" Charge into the woods ! " was the response. " But
who is to support me ? " he again asked. " Your sup-
ports are close by," was responded. The general
thought it was as well to wait, at least until they came
in sight ; but he received another peremptory order to
charge without delay, and reluctantly issued the com-
mand to fix bayonets, feeling assured that he was lead-
ing his men only to slaughter and repulse. Without
artillery and without supports, the men advanced to-
wards the wood. They were greeted by a furious
discharge of musketry, which arrested their steps and
broke their ranks at the commencement. They at
once closed up, and pressed forward towards the ene-
my's line, returning volley for volley, taking advantage
of every tree behind which a man's body could be hid-
den, and creeping from tree to tree under cover of the
thick underbrush which constantly separated the men,
and mingled companies and even regiments together,
until they came so near the rebels, and poured in upon
them a fire so rapid and deadly, that they took to flight,
falling back upon a second line. To this, in the ab-
sence of any orders to the contrary, they were at once
pursued, in the face of volleys which sent a per-
fect storm of lead cutting through their ranks, across
the prostrate forms of killed and wounded, who fell by
scores at every discharge, and amid an avalanche of
branches cut from the trees by flying shot. Having
advanced a few thousand feet, and finding that the
enemy were inclined to yield tlie ground, it stirred the
blood of the men, and made them determined that they
should yield it at any rate. At this time, the advance
of our men was firm and regular, while the forces of
the rebels were scattered throughout tlie woods into
GEN. GR OVER'S BRIGADE IN ACTION. 273
disorganized gangs and clusters. Tlie Union officers,
with conspicuous gallantry, waved their caps and
swords in the direction of the flying foe ; while the
troops cheered themselves hoarse as they followed,
loading and firing as they went. They had thus passed
beyond the confines of the forest, and reached a rail-
road bank skirting its edges, when from the rear of the
embankment rose at least twice their number of the
enemy, comprising a third line which had not been en-
gaged ; and, at a distance of only two hundred feet,
they poured a tremendous volley into our lines, just as
they appeared above the level of the bank. The effect
was terrible. Men dropped in scores, writhing and try-
ing to crawl back, or lying immovable and stone-dead
where they fell. The fire was returned with the ut-
most vigor and celerity ; but an hour's hard fighting
and running had wearied our soldiers. The rebels
were fresh : they had the advantage of position. They
took aim at Gen. Grover as he sat on his horse, waving
his cap upon the point of his sword. He was dismount-
ed ; and his horse severely wounded plunged off in the
direction of the rebels. The Union line now began
to waver. It had no artillery and no supports.
The enemy saw their advantage, and hastened to im-
prove it. They advanced with yells and shouts towards
the railroad bank ; and the Union forces sullenly fell
back into the forest again. Through this they con-
tinued to retire, until they had reached their former
ground on the other side. Believing them to be in full
retreat, the rebels were just emerging from the trees to
follow up their advantage to the end, when they re-
ceived an artillery fire of canister and shell which scat-
tered them like chaff before the wind, and drove every
274 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
remnant of their forces back into the woods whence
they had come. For three hundred yards, the rattling
balls searched nook and lurking-place, where, out of
sight, sharp-shooter or skirmisher might be posted ; and
completely silenced every hostile gun. Gen. Kearney's
division assaulted the enemy's left towards Sudley
Springs successfully, and drove them back fully a mile
before dark. Gen. Porter held them in check along the
Manassas Railroad towards Gainesville, and thus, on
the whole the day ended advantageously to the Union
forces. Both parties slept on the ground where they
fought, and both received numerous reenforcements
during the night. Most of the succeeding day was
spent in manoeuvres, during which Gen. Grover's
brigade was moved from one part of the field to an-
other,— now supporting a battery that was playing
upon some distant position in the enemy's front, — now
standing in line to fill a gap occasioned by the looseness
with which the troops were disposed and handled. In
the order of battle, Gen. Heintzelman commanded the
right, Porter and Siegel the centre, and McDowell the
left. At three o'clock. Gen. Stevens began the assault ;
and at the same time the enemy's batteries were opened
along the whole line. They fired not only shot and
shell, spherical case and canister, but railroad iron,
which had been cut up into lengths suitable for the
purpose, and which whizzed through the air with a
fearful sound as it flew towards the object at which
it was aimed. Between four and five o'clock, the fire,
not only of artillery, but of musketry, became general
on both sides. A fierce assault was directed towards
our right and centre, which gradually moved along
until it was concentrated in all its fury upon our left.
THE FEDERAL LEFT FORGED BACK. 275
The roll of the repeated volleys as they rose up from
one side, and were quickly returned by the other, made
one continuous, deafening crash ; while the thunder of
contending cannon, and the bursting of numerous shells
in all parts of the field, shook the ground with their
tremendous detonations, and the accumulating volume
of the rounds and volleys towards the left told all too
plainly that there the enemy were endeavoring to
break through. It was all in vain that supports and
reenforcements were hurried to the weakened point :
it had yielded before they arrived. For an hour, in a
perfect tornado of deadly missiles, enveloped in smoke,
and aiming at a foe whose proximity could only be
known by the rattle of his musketry, the Union left,
under McDowell, held its own. But tlien it broke.
Wagoners, stragglers, and hangers-on about the hospi-
tal, first scented the defeat, and took up the double-
quick. A second Bull-Run panic seemed inevitable.
The right, however, held its place ; and Gen. Lee wisely
forebore pursuit across an unbridged run, with dark-
ness rapidly approaching, and an army seriously crip-
pled with men wounded and worn out. The demoraliza-
tion of the left compelled the right and centre to fall
back, however ; which was done in good order, although
all our dead and wounded were left in the hands of
the enemy ; and three batteries, which had been fool-
ishly pushed forward without proper infantry support
had to be abandoned. For several days, bridge-build-
ers had been at work on the line of the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad day and night to repair the struc-
tures which the rebel raiders had set on fire and
burned ; and in two or three places they had succeeded,
and had removed long trains below Catlett's and Bris-
276 THE FIB ST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
tow Stations before the battle of the 30th was fought.
Failing, however, to finish their work before this oc-
curred, it all proved vain ; and Gen. Banks was ordered
to abandon the road, destroy the trains, and rejoin Gen.
Pope at Centreville immediately. Two hundred cars
loaded with clothing, equipments, officers' baggage, and
supplies of every description, were accordingly fired ;
an immense wagon-train was emptied of its contents,
the animals detached, and the torch applied; five loco-
motives were broken up and rendered useless ; a large
quantity of fixed ammunition, ordnance-stores, and
gunpowder, blown up, and the road left in rebel hands.
It was at this time that the people of the North,
hearing of the complete destitution of the army in
Virginia, poured forth so lavishly their contributions
of money, lint, bandages, cordials, jellies, liquors, food,
clothing, blankets, dressing-gowns, and, in fact, every
thing conceivable, which could promote the comfort, or
minister to the wants, of a wounded soldier.
Congregations that had gathered for the worship of
God, on Sunday, the 31st of August, were dismissed
with a few brief words of patriotic exhortation ; and in
a short time ladies were busy amid piles of cloth, bun-
dles and packages of offerings, cans of preserves, and
rolls of goods ; gentlemen were packing and nailing
up innumerable boxes, directed to the army ; and ex-
press-wagons were transporting them to the cars by
the hvmdred. The sidewalks were so covered with
them, that people were forced to the middle of the
street to get along at all ; and they kept coming
from all quarters, and in such profusion, that, before
sundown on the 31st, twenty-one hundred had been
despatched from the single city of Boston. It was so
DEATH OF GEN. STEVENS. 277
tliroughout the country. Washington literally swarmed
with persons seeking an opportunity to go out and
alleviate the miseries of wounded soldiers, left without
food, shelter, or help, upon the battle-field ; and some,
who were incautious enough to venture beyond the
Federal lines, were captured by the rebels, and held
as prisoners of war until the rebel forces were well on
[ their way towards Maryland.
During Sunday and Monday, Aug. 31, and Sept. 1,
Gen. Pope drew his right wing back to the vil-
1 i lage of Germantown, and formed a line of battle
upon the heights fronting the approaches to Fairfax
Court House. He was closely pursued by the forces,
of Gen. Lee, who, late in the afternoon of the 1st in-
stant, arrived at Chantilly, near the Little-River Turn-
pike, and vigorously assailed the division of Gen.
Stevens, endeavoring to turn his left. Seeing his men
hard pressed. Gen. Stevens exposed himself in trying
to hold them firmly in tlieir places, and was shot dead
by a bullet through the head. His loss greatly dis-
concerted his command, and they began to fall back.
Just then the division, of Gen. Kearney came up, and
formed on the ground Gen. Stevens's soldiers had
yielded. The fighting had taken place during a vio-
lent thunder-storm, the rain falling in torrents, light-
ning flashing over the combatants, and peals of thunder
reverberating through the woods, rising sometimes
above the roar of battle. Darkness had come with
the storm ; and, as the enemy continued to press on,
their numbers and situation were revealed only by the
reports or flashes of their guns. Not knowing the na-
ture of the country, Gen. Kearney ventured beyond
his lines to reconnoitre a little before he led out his
24
2Y8 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT
men, and was shot through the heart. As he did not
return, Gen. Birney commanded his men to fix bayo-
nets, and charge. This they did with such spirit and
impetuosity, that the enemy fell back, and left them
undisputed masters of the field. All night long, the
soldiers anxiously awaited Kearney's return. He did
not come. Their worst forebodings were realized the
next morning, when his dead body was brought in
under a rebel flag of truce. It was a sight sad indeed
to the soldiers of his division : for he was almost idol-
ized by them, and many a one would willingly have
died for him. No better soldier ever drew a blade
upon the battle-field than Gen. Philip Kearney ; and
no man was more respected than he by the rebel chief-
tains, who knew him well, and had often partaken of his
hospitalities before the war. Having lost one arm in
the Mexican War, during a charge made at the San-
Antonio Gate, upon a battery defending the city of
Mexico, he was accustomed to go into battle with his
sword or reins between his teeth ; and was always to
be found where the bullets were thickest, and the
enemy most numerous and troublesome. It seemed
as though his men could not believe him dead ; and
many a brave fellow wept tears of bitter sorrow as his
loved remains were borne away to Washington for em-
balmment and burial.
After the battle of Chantilly, which resulted favor-
ably to the Union army, orders were received from
Gen. Halleck to fall back within the defences of Wash-
ington, for the purpose of reorganizing the different
corps ; getting stragglers back into their places ; sup-
plying deficiencies of ammunition, clothing, <fec. ; and
adding to the army such new regiments, recruits, and
THE FEDERAL ARMY IN WASHINGTON. 279
convalescents as had arrived at the national capital.
The retrograde movement accordingly began at once ;
and during the 2d, 3d, and 4th of September, the roads
leading to Alexandria and the fortifications around
Washington, were covered with the torn and shattered
fragments of the armies of Virginia and the Potomac,
who, for more than two weeks of bloody and almost
uninterrupted conflict, had been fighting and falling
back. The troops of New England, the Middle
States, and the West, marched along side by side, not
disheartened, nor feeling that they had been fairly
beaten, but poorly led. When they came in sight of
the unfinished dome of the Capitol, a shout arose,
which spread from regiment to regiment throughout
the entire army ; and the determination was univer-
sally expressed to hold that, or die in its defence.
In company with four wounded men, — one shot
through the body, another through the leg, another
through the arm, and another suffering from a serious
scalp wound inflicted by a shell, — the writer rode in an
army-wagon from beyond Manassas Junction to Cen-
treville, hoping to find cars there which would trans-
port them, without jolting, to Alexandria or Washington.
The wagon was without springs and the roads exceed-
ingly rough ; and although these men were placed on
hay, and made as comfortable as possible, the jerks and
lunges of the clumsy vehicle tossed them repeatedly out
of their position, and made them suffer excruciatingly
every foot of the way. It was only by repeatedly
assuring them we should soon be there, that they were
kept in any sort of spirits, and induced to exert them-
selves a little to prevent serious injury from the stag-
gering of the wagon. Arrived at Centre ville, we found
280 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
that the last train of cars had left, and orders had been
sent back to have all sick and wounded forwarded to
Fairfax Station, nine miles beyond. The prospect of
a nine-mile ride, with a wagonful of wounded men,
over such roads, was perfectly appalling; and they sent
forth such a piteous chorus of groans and remon-
strances, that the heart ached for them ; but there was
no help for it, and again we started. The road before
and behind, as far as the eye could see, was lined with
a procession of wagons and ambulances similarly
laden ; and from both directions our ears were con-
tinually pained by moans and cries extorted from the
wretched sufferers by the jogs and gullies over which
they were driven.
Several died from exhaustion and loss of blood be-
fore reaching their destination. It was far into the
night before we reached Fairfax Station ; and then, as
if we were doomed to disappointment and misery, we
were told that the railroad was unsafe, and no more
trains would be allowed to pass over it while the
enemy were about. Alexandria was eighteen miles
farther on. Thither we must go. This was too much ;
and one poor fellow, only strong enough to expostulate,
cried out, —
"• I can't do it. Let me get out ! "
" But, my dear man, we must do it : the cars are
stopped."
" I can't do it : it will kill me ! "
" Oh ! I guess not. Try and keep up."
"I can't keep up. It will kill me: I know it will
kill me. Let me get out ! "
*' But there is no one here to take care of you."
A TERRIBLE XIGHT-RIDE. 281
"I might as well die by the roadside as in this
wagon."
" You will not be allowed to lie by the roadside ;
for, in a few hours, the rebels will hold this ground,
and make you a prisoner."
At this the driver started, and the wounded man
exclaimed, —
" Hold on there ! hold on ! "
" He cannot bold on ; for he has been ordered to
carry you where you will be safe."
" Stop, driver, stop ! "
" He has no right to stop."
" Stop, stop, for God's sake ! "
" My dear fellow, do try and compose yourself; and
we will all do the best we can for you."
" I wish you had my head. I'd like to see you try
and compose yourself."
"No doubt you are doing much better than I could ;
but perhaps you might do better if you tried."
A groan was the only answer. So it was for the
eighteen long and weary miles. The wagon lurched,
rolled, and pitched about over the broken and uneven
road, and at daybreak stopped before the Union Hotel
hospital in Alexandria. A surgeon was speedily called
out. We expected that he would make immediate
arrangements to accomodate the men ; but he held up
both hands, and exclaimed, —
" Every room and every bed is full ; we have more
than we can do. It is impossible to make a place for a
single person more : you must drive on to Washing-
ton."
" Nine miles more ! "
It was of no use to talk. One of the men would
24*
282 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
get out, and lie did get out. He swore he would not
ride in that wagon another step. He would lie down
on the sidewalk, in the street, anywhere, and die, if he
must ; but be hauled to Washington, nine miles farther,
he wouldn't. How he was ever gotten back to his
place, it would be difficult to state ; but after expostu-
lation, entreaty, coaxing, and some swearing, it was
done, and the mules started towards the Federal cap-
ital. It was daylight now and the road was good. By
eight o'clock we entered the city. It seemed to be one
vast hospital. The streets were filled with army-
wagons, ambulances, and even hacks and private car-
riages, pressed into the service to bring in the wounded
from the front ; and the people seemed to be unwearied
in their generous ministrations for the relief of their
wants. They came out of the houses, lining the way,
holding in their hands cups of tea and coffee, food,
fruit, basins of water and towels, cordials, jellies,
and preserves ; and apparently could not do enough
for the brave men who had been battling to preserve
their homes from the spoiler. In a short time, we
halted before a hospital, where our wounded men
could be received ; and, as expeditiously as possible, the
poor fellows, worn out, bleeding and half dead, were
borne into the building, haying suffered more during
their ride of over twenty-four hours, than they would
in a dozen battles.
The following list of killed, wounded, and missing,
at the second battle of Bull Run and at that of Chan-
tilly, is made up from the muster-out rolls, as found in
the State House : —
Company A : Killed, John Martin. Wounded, Ser-
geant John H. Miner, Corporal Edward S. Daniels,
CASUALTIES AT BULL RUN AND CIIANTILLY. 283
William Abrams, William Emerson, Charles H. Harper,
Benjamin F. Pierce.
Company B: Killed, Alvah Bicknell, George E.
Smith, Thomas L. Glover. Wounded, Capt. George
E. Henry, Lieut. Horatio Roberts, Sergeant Edwin S.
Brown, Corporal Ferrier N. Christian, Luke E. Jenkins,
Charles F. Morgan, Charles H. Brown.
Company C : Killed, Bernard Blessington. Wound-
ed, Sergeant John S. Clark, Thomas Gallagher.
Company D : Killed, Hugh Calhum. Wounded,
Corporal Frank F. Palmer, Corporal Zachariah L. Bar-
ton, Gideon Blasland, William Claffey, Levi Estes,
George H. Butler.
Company E : Wounded, Lieut. Nathaniel Averill,
Joseph H. Pierce, James Ryan.
Company F: Killed, William Norris, William F.
Houston, Elisha H. Fogg, Charles H. Marston.
Wounded, Sergeant Clifton F. Kendall, Joseph H.
Caldwell, Grin Fogg (subsequently died), Joseph W.
Norwood.
Company G : Wounded, Alphonzo Fisher.
Company H: Killed, Lieut. John M. Mandeville, Sam-
uel C. Heald. Wounded, Corporal Thomas H. Bigelow,
Henry Mason, William H. Luke (subsequently died),
Joseph H. Bigelow (subsequently died), Martin G.
Tewksbury, Charles S. Everdean, William McConnell,
Isaac Alston, William J. Dinsmore (subsequently
died), Henry A. Pierce, George H. Green. Missing,
Lawrence H. Kelley, John A. Luke.
Company I : Killed, Lieut. George W. Harris.
Wounded, Corporal Luther M. Bent (subsequently
died). Sergeant James Finney, Franz Singer (subse-
quently died), George A. Payne, William R. Gracie,
284 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
♦
Caleb Houston, Cornelius E. Kennedy, George F.
Marden.
Company K : Killed, Richard McNally. Wounded,
Hiram H. Chubbuck, Frank Hutchins, Charles M.
Raymond.
Names additional to the above were published in the
papers subsequent to the battles, without company
designations. They were privates Baxter, Chancellor,
Currier, Pierce, Goode, and Kelly.
Recapitulation: Killed, and subsequently died, twenty.
Wounded, fifty-one. Missing, two.
^%v,^r^"-^
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CHAPTER XI.
CAMPS AT ALEXANDRIA SEMINARY, FAIRFAX COURT
HOUSE, AND FAIRFAX STATION.
*' When a deed is done for Freedom, through the broad Earth's aching breast
Runs a thrill of joy prophetic, trembling on from east to west;
And the slave, where'er he cowers, feels the soul within him climb
To the awful verge of manhood, as the energy sublime
Of a century bursts full blossomed on the thorny stem of Time."
James Russell Lowell.
GEN. POPE'S return to Washington and Alexandria
left the army of Gen. Lee free to besiege the Union
capital, or to make a foray into Maryland, which had
been one of the objects contemplated when he left
Richmond in the beginning of August. Fearing the
result of an assault upon the Washington defences,
especially as Gen. Pope had been relieved, and Gen.
McClellan again placed in command of all the forces
operating in Virginia, and of all troops holding the
forts and earthworks round the city, the rebel leader
moved away from Centreville, in the direction of Lees-
burg, on the 1st of September, and crossed the Potomac,
without opposition, at Noland's Ford, five miles below
Point of Rocks, on the 5th. He, his generals, officers,
and men, expected great results to accrue from the in-
vasion of Maryland ; that the people would everywhere
welcome and cooperate with him ; that they would
render him all needed material aid ; and that the able-
286 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS BEGIMENT.
bodied men of the State would crowd to his standard
in such numbers as to enable him to assault Baltimore
and Washington in the rear, and perhaps extend his
conquests as far as Philadelphia. Accordingly, having
entered Maryland, Gen. Lee marched immediately
upon Frederick, the capital "of the State, distant
forty-four miles north-west of Washington, and sixty
miles due west from Baltimore. The city contained
nearly nine thousand inhabitants, and was garri-
soned by only one company of United-States regu-
lars. Resistance was impossible ; and the Federal
provost-marshal, after removing all the military-stores
he could get away, burned the remainder, and left, in
company with a large number of the most wealthy and
influential citizens of the place. The next morning it
was occupied by the rebels in force. They were in
a destitute and suffering condition, but manifested
scrupulous respect for private property ; and paid for
all they took to subsist upon, in rebel money or green-
backs, whichever the seller preferred.
On the 8th of September, Gen. Lee issued a procla-
mation to the people of Maryland, maintaining that he
had come among them as a deliverer, denouncing the
action of the United States, and urging them to rally
to the rescue of their State from the bondage of the op-
pressor. At the same time, he opened recruiting offices,
helped himself to droves of sheep, cattle, hogs, and
horses from the neighboring farmers, for which he paid
the prices usually asked ; and protested that he was a
friend, not an enemy, and intended to restore to the cit-
izens of Maryland their ancient sovereignty and indepen-
dence. Somehow he failed to make out a case. His
address read well, he himself spoke well and acted well,
THE REBEL ARMY IN MARYLAND. 287
and everywhere his troops behaved admirably ; but the
people did not respond. Yery few volunteers were ob-
tained from his recruiting offices, very little material
support from wealthy and influential friends, and very
little enthusiasm was awakened among the professed
adherents of the rebel cause. He saw, and his officers
and men saw, that they had made a great, perhaps a fatal,
mistake. Nevertheless something had to be attempted ;
and orders were issued looking to the abandonment of
Maryland, the capture of Harper's Ferry, and the inva-
sion of Pennsylvania. Before they could be carried
out, the advance of the Union army entered Frederick
under command of Gen. McClellan, just as the rear-
guard of the rebels had evacuated it. This compelled
a total change in the proposed plan of operations.
The rebels, retiring towards Hagerstown, were brought
to a stand on South Mountain, and on Sunday, Sept.
14, assaulted by Gens. Hooker, Burnside, Reno, and
Franklin, in force. The battle commenced early in
the morning, and raged until late in the afternoon.
The rebels fought desperately for the positions which
they had chosen ; but the Union forces fought more
desperately to obtain them, and they succeeded. Before
dark, several bayonet-charges threw the enemy into
great confusion ; so that they abandoned the gaps, scat-
tered through the woods, and finally gave, up the con-
flict along the whole line. The Union loss in killed
and wounded amounted to nearly three thousand,
including the gallant Gen. Reno, who was shot through
the body, on the left of Turner's Gap. The rebel loss
has never been stated, but was large. Several hundred
prisoners, three regimental flags, two pieces of artille-
ry, and three thousand stand of arms, were captured.
288 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
A successful assault was the next day made upon
Harper's Ferry by Stonewall Jackson, which, owing to
the imbecility, treason, or cowardice of the colonel in
command, was surrendered, with eleven thousand five
hundred and eighty-three officers and men, prisoners,
forty-five pieces of artillery, and a large supply of am-
munition and stores, spoils of war. The rebels were
so hard pressed, however, that they immediately paroled
all their prisoners, abandoned the captured town, and
concentrated tlieir forces on a semicircular amphi-
theatre of hills bordering the River Antietam.
At daylight on Wednesday, the 17th, they were at-
tacked ; and a sanguinary battle ensued, which lasted
all day, resulting in substantial and decided success
for the Union arms. Over thirty colors, thirteen guns,
seven caissons, nine limbers, fifteen thousand small-
arms, and five thousand prisoners were captured, and
seventeen thousand of the enemy placed hors de com-
bat^ with a loss to the Federal forces of only eleven
thousand four hundred and twenty-six killed and
wounded, and not a single gun or color. It was now
the policy of Gen. Lee to get out of harm's way as
speedily as possible. Had he been vigorously assaulted
on the 18th, no doubt most of his shattered and ex-
hausted forces might have been captured ; but the
golden opportunity slipped by unimproved, and during
the night of that day he fled precipitately across the
Potomac, having remained in Maryland just a fort-
night, and lost in killed, wounded, and missing, fully
thirty thousand men. The grand idea of invading
Maryland and Pennsylvania, of releasing the former
State with Kentucky and Tennessee from political
despotism, of capturing Washington and Baltimore,
GEN. HOOKER'S DIVISION. 289
and percliance Pliiladelpliia, with which he had left
Richmond less than fifty days before, had utterly failed
of realization. With diminished ranks and a disap-
pointed spirit; he had been forced back upon the soil of
Virginia once more, and must henceforth give up the
aggressive, and resort to the defensive, or be entirely
destroyed.
After the battle of Chantilly, Gen. Pope's army con-
tinued to fall back on Washington, taking such roads
as would secure the desired object most expeditiously,
and at the same time prevent the enemy from making
a successful assault in the rear.
Gen. Hooker's division moved before daylight,
Tuesday morning, Sept. 2, to Fairfax Court House,
where soft bread, and such other rations as had been
brought up from Alexandria, w^ere served out to the
men ; and the march continued to Fairfax Station,
on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad.
At daybreak, on the 3d, the column was again in motion
over an uneven, thickly wooded country, in the direc-
tion of the Potomac River ; reaching Pohick Church at
two o'clock in the afternoon, after a rapid tramp of
about eight miles. Taking the river road near Mount
Vernon, the march was continued till almost night,
when Fort Lyon was reached, and the command went
into bivouac upon an open plain to the rear and left,
two miles from Alexandria. Had there been wood
and water in convenient proximity to this camping-
ground, it would have been retained ; but, as this was
not the case, the brigade of Gen. Grover took a new
position the next day, three-quarters of a mile nearer
the city, on the slope of a pleasant liill commanding
^5
290 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
an extensive prospect in the direction of Alexandria
and the Potomac.
Fort Lyon, in the vicinity, was a formidable earth-
work, mounting twenty-six guns, with embrasures for
several more ; and was one of the series of strong re-
doubts thrown up for the defence of the national cap-
ital soon after the assault upon Fort Sumter. During
the afternoon of Sept. 5, a large number of recruits,
who had been enlisted in Boston, especially for the
First, by officers belonging to the regiment, arrived, and
were duly entered upon the muster-rolls of the differ-
ent companies. They had been marched about from
place to place, searching for Gen. Hooker's division,
until they had begun to think it never would be found.
Soon after, the regimental horses and wagons were
brought into camp, having been kept in Alexandria
during the marching and fighting going on between
Culpepper and Fairfax Court House.
A large number of visitors and friends from Wash-
ington, Boston, Boxbury, Chelsea, &c., continued to
arrive day after day, including Mayors Wightman and
Fay, Surgeon George H. Gay, of the Massachusetts
General Hospital, and others, who brouglit with them
a liberal quantity of the supplies furnished by the peo-
ple of the Old Bay State for the wounded, sick, and
unfortunate.
These things, at this time, were very acceptable, in-
asmuch as the men were destitute of every thing.
Many of them had not changed nor washed their cloth-
ing since they left Harrison's Landing, six weeks be-
fore ; liaving been on the move, or held in expectation
of a move, ever since. Some had no tents, others no
blankets, and a few were nearly or quite barefoot.
GEN. McCLELLAN REINSTATED. 291
Upon Gen. Pope's arrival in Washington, he was
immediately relieved of his position ; and Gen. McClel-
ian reinstated in his place. The latter had command,
not only of all the forces stationed in the defences at
Washington, but of all that remained of the Army of
the Potomac, the Army of Virginia, and of large
numbers of recruits, who now began to arrive in every
train from the North. His attention was immediately
called to the invasion of Maryland by Gen. Lee ; and,
in tlie army gathered to repel that invasion, he selected
Gen. Joseph Hooker for one of his corps commanders.
At the expressed wish of the latter, his former division
was allowed to remain in the defences of Washington
for a few weeks, in order to rest, recruit, and be refitted
for the field. This is the reason why the Massachu-
setts First Regiment was not at the battles of Soutli
Mountain and Antietam, in Maryland.
No sooner had the camp been established near Fort
Lyon, than a company from each regiment in the bri-
gade was sent out on picket. The division having been
placed under the orders of Gen. Grover, Col. Cowdin
was assigned to the brigade, and some staff officer was
required to accompany the picket details every day, as
the rebel cavalry were hovering about the outposts, in-
tent on mischief.
. Many of the inhabitants of Alexandria at this time
were excessively alarmed, for fear that the whole, or
a portion, of the rebel army, under Gen. Lee, would
attack and bombard that city. In vain they were as-
sured that such a thing was not to be thought of; that
the line of forts outside would prevent their approach-
ing within cannon-shot of the buildings ; and, in case
they became masters of the forts, that the gunboats
292 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
ill the river would render Alexandria entirely untena-
ble by them under any circumstances. Many seemed
to have resolved that they would be frightened at any
rate ; and frightened they were, frightened they re-
mained, until they had packed up all their valuables,
and moved out of the city. Some of them were pro-
fessed secessionists, and others but lukewarm uphold-
ers of the Union ; so that they were not greatly missed.
Meanwhile, all the churches of Alexandria, and the
commodious residences of the runaways, were appro-
priated by the medical department, and transformed
into hospitals. Some protests from rebel clergymen
or influential members of rebel flocks were entered
against this ; but they did not receive a moment's con-
sideration, as the case was one of such pressing neces-
sity as to admit neither of remonstrance nor debate.
' Alexandria at this time had lost about half of its
original Southern population, but had filled up so rap-
idly with a mixture of traders, Jews, sutlers, mechan-
ics, soldiers, quartermasters', commissaries', and hospi-
tal assistants, that it had nearly doubled its former
number of inhabitants.! It was a place of considerable
importance, and, until July 9, 1844, a portion of
the District of Columbia. Being then re-ceded to the
State of Virginia, it became, as before, the capital of
Alexandria County, and the second city in size and
commercial consequence in the Old Dominion. C Right
opposite its wharves, the Potomac was a mile in width,
forming a harbor capable of accommodating the largest
men-of-war in the navy. Hundreds of steamboats
and sailing craft rode at anchor here, or lay alongside
the wharves, discharging their cargoes. Immense
storehouses extended up into the city, filled with bags
ALEXANDRIA. 293
of grain, bundles of hay, barrels of beef, pork, sugar,
coffee, rice, and beans ; boxes of hard-bread, cases of
clothing and accoutrements, bales of blankets, and ac-
cumulations of every kind of supplies. The city con-
tained a court house, three banks, twelve churches,
and several schools. It was paved, lighted with gas,
and supplied with good water, introduced by the aid
of machinery.
Tlie principal streets w^ere wide and clean, some of
the public buildings spacious and imposing, and many
of the private residences elegant. The Marshall House
and an old slave-pen were places of great resort among
the soldiers ; and hardly a man of them who could get
a furlough but paid those two spots a visit.'
From the 4th of September until the 18th, the regi-
ment was kept in a constant state of expectation and
uncertainty by rumors of moving. The orders came
finally on the 13th ; and a change of position was made
to an elevated plain, occupied in the centre by the
Fairfax Theological Seminary, and extending in an
easterly direction for more than a mile towards Wash-
ington. Upon it were several fine country residences,
surrounded with gardens, orchards, and groves, which,
having been abandoned by their former occupants,
were taken possession of as hospitals or headquarters of
brigade or division commanders. In some cases, houses
were found to have been merely locked up when the
army came, and nothing removed : in others, the furni-
ture, carpets, &c., had been all taken away, and nothing
left but naked floors and bare walls. Such property
was generally appropriated to the use of the army in
some way, as its abandonment seemed to indicate a
spirit of hostility to the United-States authorities ; but,
25*
294 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
where owners remained in possession of their estates,
tliey were not molested, except for the utterance of
disloyal sentiments. A few houses upon the outskirts
were burned or torn down; but the great majority were
left just as tliey were found.
It became the duty of soldiers allowed to remain in
the defences of Washington, to make them as perfect
as possible during the period of their stay there ; and
hence the regiments of Gen. Grover's division took
turns in the excavation of rifle-pits and the construc-
tion of infantry covers, extending from fort to fort
along the entire front of their position. They were
also compelled to do regular picket-duty, so that abun-
dant occupation was found for all the leisure time ac-
cruing from their detached and secure location.
The Fairfax Theological Seminary, comprising one
large, central building of modern appearance, a chapel,
and two or three other structures, had been made into
a general hospital previous to our arrival, upon the
grounds of which were pitched hundreds of hospital
tents, which were succeeded by long, airy, and com-
fortable wooden edifices, capable of accommodating
eighty or one hundred men each. A large corps of
surgeons, nurses, and assistants, was detailed from
various portions of the army, and enlisted for this
special service ; and hundreds of soldiers, sick and
w^oundcd, w^ere brought from tlie field and from camps,
making this one of the largest general hospitals in the
country.
Deaths were very frequent, amounting to eight or
more in a single day sometimes, and seldom to fewer
than tlu'ce, four, and five. The bodies, unless claimed
by friends, were buried every afternoon close by the
BANQUET IN CAMP. 295
camp of the First Regiment ; and throughout the
camp we were all made aware when the melancholy
procession had started by the shrill notes of a single
fife, invariably playing the old Spanish air known as
"• Portuguese Hymn," and the roll of a couple of muf-
fled drums, beaten by convalescents detached for this
purpose. The services at the grave were singing, read-
ing the Scriptures, a prayer, an address, and the cus-
tomary volleys in honor of the dead.
On the 8th of September, Capt. Clark B. Baldwin,
of Company E, was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the
First Regiment, and Capt. Gardner Walker, of Com-
pany C, major. They celebrated the reception of
their commissions soon after, by a banquet in the offi-
cers' mess-tent, at which were present a large number
of their personal friends attached to the first brigade.
A great variety of good things covered the well-spread
board, which were duly attended to in the order of
their presentation, after which toasts and speeches
closed the proceedings of the evening.
The rations supplied by Government at this time
were unusually poor in quality and meagre in quan-
tity. Had not the men received boxes from home,
containing provisions and groceries, many of them
must have suffered for the necessaries of life. Beside
the regular amount of picket and fatigue duty in the
trenches, the regiment was daily practised in rampart-
firing at Fort Worth ; and the soldiers needed the full
ration of food allowed by the army regulations. Re-
veille sounded each morning at daybreak, immediately
after which came a squad drill for the recruits. At
eight o'clock occurred company drill, participated in
by old members and recruits together. Battalion drill
296 THE FIB ST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
followed dinner, at two o'clock. At half-past four
came inspection ; and at five, dress-parade.
In the month of September, the efforts which had
been made for some time bj the personal friends of
Col. Robert Cowdin to have him appointed brigadier-
general of volunteers, for gallantry in action, resulted
successfully ; and he received the following commu-
nication from the War Department : —
"War Department, WAsmNGTON, Sept. 26, 1862.
'' Sir, — You are hereby informed that the President
of the United States has appointed you, for distin-
guished conduct at the battle of Williamsburg, briga-
dier-general of volunteers in the service of the United
States, to rank as such from the twenty-sixth day of
September, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Should the Senate, at their next session, advise and
consent thereto, you will be commissioned accordingly.
" Immediately on receipt hereof please to communi-
cate to this department, through the adjutant-general
of the army, your acceptance or non-acceptance, and
with your letter of acceptance return the oath herewith
enclosed, properly filled up, subscribed, and attested ;
and report your age, birthplace, and the State of which
you were a permanent resident.
" You will report for duty to the general-in-chief,
United-States army, in person, for orders.
" Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
^' Brtg.-Gen. Robert Cowdin, U. S. Volunteers.''
Gen. Cowdin at once bade adieu to his old com-
mand, resigned the generalship of the first brigade
into the hands of Gen. Joseph B. Garr, and reported
GEN. COWDIN RELIEVED OF HIS COMMAND. 297
at Washington for orders. He was assigned soon after
to the second brigade, Abercrombie's division, sta-
tioned in the vicinity of Upton's Hill, Va., with
which lie remained for six months. When the ques-
tion of confirming his appointment came up in the
Senate of the United States, with a large number of
others, he failed to receive the necessary vote of confir-
mation, and was accordingly relieved of his command
on the 30th of March, and compelled unwillingly to
bid farewell to the army before the conclusion of the
war, and return home as a private citizen.
The service lost in Gen. Cowdin a brave and faithful
officer ; a commander friendly, genial, and considerate
in his treatment of his men ; and one concerning
whom the rare statement may be made, that, from the
time he buckled on his sword until he laid it aside
again, one drop of intoxicating liquor never found its
way between his lips, as a beverage.
About the time that Gen. Cowdin took his leave,
Gen. Grover, the division commander, also received
an appointment in another department, and was suc-
ceeded by Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, who, in company
with Gens. Heintzelman and Carr, reviewed the divi-
sion on the afternoon of Oct. 2, in the vicinity of Fort
Runyon, immediately after his appointment. A large
number of recruits had been added to the various
regiments, which, with the return of wounded and
sick who had recovered sufficiently to resume their
duties, gave the ranks a full and cheering appearance.
The condition of Gen. Lee's army, after he crossed
the Potomac into Virginia, was such, that he could
have caused considerable trouble to the forces scat-
tered about Washington, had he seen fit to approach
298 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
the city in force. On the 10th of October, a large body
of his cavalry, under command of the ubiquitous
Stuart, suddenly appeared at Chambersburg, Penn.,
set fire to the railroad depot, Government store-
houses and machine-shops, marched the next day to
Emmetsburg, and so on, round through Woodsborough
and Newmarket, to Monrovia, whence he pushed on
towards the Potomac, dividing his forces, and crossing
mainly at Conrad's Ferry, six miles below the mouth
of the Monocacy ; carrying with him over a thousand
captured horses, besides a large amount of spoils, hav-
ing gone completely round Gen. McClellan's army, in
a circuit of little over one hundred miles.
It was deemed advisable, on account of this condi-
tion of things, to establish well-guarded outposts on
all the roads leading to the Federal capital ; and the
First Regiment was accordingly ordered to garrison
Munson's Hill, a commanding eminence within six
miles of Washington in a straight line. This had
been a favorite post with the rebels in the earlier part
of the war ; and upon the crest of the hill they had
thrown up a circular redoubt, without the usual ditch,
which gives height and impregnability to the walls,
but with a strong abatis surrounding the ramparts on
all sides. A battery of artillery accompanied the regi-
ment into the redoubt : and the men made their
quarters under the parapet, as closely as they could
creep; for the season was getting late, and the nights,
especially when there was a strong wind, were very
cold.
The utmost vigilance could discover nothing in the
vicinity of tliis hill to indicate an intended approach of
the enemy to Washington ; and, after holding it for ten
INACTION OF THE ARMY. 299
days, it was abandoiicled with the other outposts of the
vicinity to join in the onward movement towards Rich-
mond by the way of Fahnoiith and Fredericksburg.
Of reviews and inspections, at this time, there were the
usual number ; some being held by Gen. Carr, of the
brigade, and others by Gen. Sickles, of the division :
but by far the most important one was held by
President Lincoln, Gens. Banks, Heintzelman, Sickles,
and other distinguished men, civil and military, on
Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 22. The weather was
windy, dusty, and cold, and marching, in consequence,
extremely disagreeable, but the movements were all
executed in fine style, and gave perfect satisfaction to
the large number of spectators who had assembled from
Washington and Alexandria to witness them.
■The army of Gen. McClellan remained compara-
tively inactive after the battle of Antietam, from the
18th of September until the 26th of October. Why it
did so was the question and wonder of the time, and
caused no little complaint, first against Gen. McClellan,
secondly against Gen. Halleck, thirdly against the
War Department, and fourthly against Gen. Meigs,
President Lincoln, and the Administration collectively.
No doubt a variety of causes contributed to occasion
the delay. The rebels occupied the right bank of the
Potomac in force, compelling Gen. McClellan, as the
water was low, to guard the fords with large bodies of
men, in order that the invasion of Maryland, or
Stuart's raid into Pennsylvania, might not be repeated.
The first, fifth, and sixth corps, after the battle of
Antietam, were greatly in need of shoes, clothing, and
shelter-tents, whicli could not be, or had not been, for-
warded in sufficient quantities to supply them. And
300 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
lastly, the cavalry, artillery, and team-horses had been
so much exposed and overworked during the battles
commencing with Cedar Mountain, and ending with
Antietam, that they were worn out or broken down
with fatigue, and fresh animals were not forwarded
fast enough to supply the deficiency. These were the
reasons given by Gen. McClellan and his friends for
delaying the advance into Virginia.
To all of them President Lincoln, Gen. Halleck,
Gen. Meigs, and others replied, showing that the fords
of the Potomac would not need to be guarded if the
enemy were driven back from the other side ; that shoes,
clothing, tents, and every species of supplies were fur-
nished in sufficient quantities ; and fresh horses for-
warded fast enough to enable the army to immediately
resume the offensive. Accordingly, on the 6th of
October, a peremptory order was transmitted to Gen.
McClellan, instructing him to cross the Potomac and
give battle to the enemy, or drive him South at once,
before the wet weather set in, and while the roads were
good.
The advance, however, was delayed day after day, on
various pretexts, for nearly three weeks, and did not
commence until the morning of Sunday, Oct. 26.
Col. Pleasanton then pushed across the Potomac at
Berlin, followed by Gen. Burnside and all his forces in
light marching order. The rebels made no attempt
to dispute their progress, but prepared to abandon
the bank of the river entirely, and fall back into the
interior.
The division of Gen. Sickles received an order Fri-
day, Oct. 31, to join in the advance movement; and
the next day, at five o'clock in the afternoon, broke
FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE. 301
camp at Fairfax Seminary, and took the road towards
Fairfax Court House, bivouacking that niglit at a
sequestered spot known as Annandale. Next morning
the march was resumed, and continued, in company
with the rest of the division, through Fairfax Court
House, till within two miles of Centreville, when the
First Regiment was detached from the brigade, and
ordered back to do provost-duty at Fairfax Court
House and Station. The rest of the division went on
beyond Manassas, Bristow Station, and Warrenton,
where a junction was effected with the main body of
Gen. McClellan's forces, which were making regular
advances, while the rebels were steadily falling back
before them. Fairfax Court House derived its princi-
pal importance from its location ; being only a small
village, containing perhaps three hundred inhabitants.
As it was the capital of Fairfax County, it had, of
course, the usual court house and jail, about which, on
three or four principal streets, clustered some sixty
dwellings, including one church, three stores, and sev-
eral mechanics' shops. The whole region was named
for Sir Thomas Fairfax, a British nobleman, born in
1690, who came to this country in 1739 to look after
the large estates he had inherited from his mother, the
daughter of Lord Culpepper, Governor of Virginia
between 1680 and 1683. He was a man of considera-
ble erudition, and quite a favorite in Englisli society ;
but a disappointment in love made him forswear the
fashionable world, and hurry away from home to hide
his aching heart amid the solitudes of the Western
continent. He owned nearly six millions of acres of
land lying between the Rappahannock and Potomac
Rivers, on both sides of the Blue Ridge, including a con-
26
302 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
siderable portion of the Shenandoah Valley. Not far
from Mount Vernon, he erected a spacious mansion
called Belvoir, where for several years he dispensed
the hospitality of a cultivated English gentleman, until,
in 1748, he made the acquaintance of George Washing-
ton, then a boy of sixteen, engaged in surveying, who
represented the beauties of his lordship's estate west of
the Blue Ridge in such glowing colors, that he went
thither to see it ; and was so much delighted, that he
erected another residence called Greenway Court, in
the midst of a manor of ten thousand acres, where, in
baronial ease, dignity, and independence, surrounded
by his dogs and horses, he lived until he was ninety-
two years of age. He was thoroughly English in his
love of the chase, and entertained the fox-hunting gen-
try of the neighborhood with special liberality. Wash-
ington continued on intimate terms with him until the
Revolutionary War, when the nobleman declared for his
king. The surrender at Yorktown cut him to the
quick, and indeed seems to have hastened his death,
which occurred shortly afterwards. Fairfax County,
Fairfax Court House, and Fairfax Village, which is the
capital of Culpepper County, so called after his grand-
father the governor, seem to have been named for
him.
At Fairfax Court House, the provost-duty done by
the companies was light, and without particularly ex-
citing incident. Major Gardner Walker was provost-
marshal of the town ; and every day stragglers from the
army were brought in, or citizens suspected of com-
plicity with the enemy, or prisoners who had been cap-
tured in skirmishes, supplying to the office sufficient
business to occupy the clerks and orderlies in waiting
WINTER QUARTERS. 303
as long as business hours lasted. The people of the
place and vicinity, most of whom were unprotected
females, their husbands having gone off in the rebel
army, had numerous complaints to make of invasions
of their premises, violent seizures of poultry, fence-
rails, lumber, and other articles, and various trivial
indignities to which they had been exposed ; for most
of which they found there was no remedy, and were
constrained to accept the philosopliical conclusion that
they were the legitimate consequences of war, and
must be endured as unavoidable.
Householders and small farmers in and about the
village were very desirous of special guards to protect
them from peculation and annoyance, and considered
themselves seriously aggrieved when their unreasonable
demands were not complied with.
Companies D, F, G, and H, were detached from the
regiment soon after arriving at the Court House, and
sent down to Fairfax Station. The rest of the com-
panies, with the exception of C, soon after followed, and
went into camp near the railroad just below the depot
of the post- commissary, on the left of the common
road leading to the River Occoquan.
Here, on the 7th of November, occurred the first
snow-storm of the season. The men had at the time
nothing but shelter-tents and rubber-blankets ; and
many of them suffered severely with the cold. It led
to unusual activity in the construction of cabins and
huts, and to the appropriation of every board, shingle,
and beam which could be obtained for miles around.
There were two churches not far from camp, one a mod-
ern edifice of wood ; the other, more ancient, construct-
ed of brick. The wooden building was converted into
304 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
a hospital ; and from the brick, every thing movable
was removed, including even the tablets on which were
painted the Ten Commandments ; nothing being left
but the roof and the walls. The country round about
Fairfax Court House and Station had been occupied
by the enemy in considerable force ; and several well-
filled graveyards in the vicinity of their former camp-
ing-grounds showed that they had suffered severely by
sickness and death.
It was necessary for the regiment not only to guard
the Station, where several trains to and from Alexan-
dria made daily stops, bringing up recruits, supplies,
and munitions of war to the front, but also to picket
the entire position and several miles of the track up
and down the road. Instead of sending companies
out from the central camp every morning, to be dis-
tributed along the track, certain companies were
chosen to attend to this duty permanently ; and they
constructed outpost camps for their special comfort
and convenience, which were models of military com-
pactness and Yankee ingenuity. From these the
picket-stations branched out, each man within sup-
porting distance of the next ; and this led to the for-
mation of the picket-telegraph, by which orders, mes-
sages, and news items were sent from man to man, over
miles of space, almost as quickly as they could be con-
veyed by electricity.
On the 8th of November, the whole army was star-
tled with the tidings that Gen. McClellan had been
removed and ordered to report to Trenton, N. J., and
that Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside had been appointed to
succeed him in command of the forces then advancing
upon Fredericksburg. Gen. McClellan was still a fa-
PICKET DUTY ALONG THE RAILROAD. 305
vorite with many of the troops ; and to them his re-
moval, occasioned, as they believed, by political hostility,
was exceedingly distasteful. The majority, however,
did not care who led them, provided he led to victory.
On Monday, Nov. 10, Gen. McClellan held a part-
ing review of such of the troops as he could con-
veniently gather in the vicinity of Warrenton, for the
purpose of taking a formal and final farewell. He
rode a handsome horse, splendidly caparisoned, was
accompanied by an imposing retinue of staff' and gen-
eral officers, and was greeted along the lines by demon-
strations of unmistakable respect and affection. On
the next day, he took a special train for Alexandria and
Washington. At every station on the road, the troops
were drawn up with arms at the "Present ! " salutes of
artillery were fired, the soldiers cheered, and the gen-
eral bowed his thanks, or, if there was time, urged
those who crowded round the cars to stand by Gen.
Burnside as they had stood by him, and all would be
well. The loyal, manly, and patriotic spirit shown by
Gen. McClellan during the whole of this trying ex-
perience cannot be too highly commended.
While on picket along the railroad track in stormy
weather, the men were accustomed to improvise such
shelter as they were able, by stretching their rubber-
blankets across poles, or rails, and creeping under them
for protection. They also dug lioles, or caverns, in the
bank, which was of sand, or clay, and easily excavated.
An unfortunate accident on the 20th of November put
an end to this practice, and caused the death of
Henry S. Bailey, of Company H, who was on picket at
the time. In company with another man, he was lying
asleep in such a cavern, when the moisture of the earth
26*
306 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT,
caused the roof to fall in, coYering him to the depth
of several feet with the loose sand. His companion,
being near the mouth of the cave, extricated himself
from his perilous situation as soon as possible, and
shouted for assistance. When it came, the utmost
despatch was used in removing the sand and soil rest-
ing upon young Bailey ; but he was reached too late.
Life had been extinct several minutes. He seemed to
liave been smothered at once. The body was buried
in the yard of the wooden church used for a hospital
at the Station ; and a neat wooden head-board, inscribed
with his name, age, company, regiment, and date of
death, was erected by his comrades.
In the camp at Fairfax Station could be found some
very neat and cosey cabins constructed by the troops
for winter-quarters. They were hardly completed,
however, when orders were received for the regiment
to immediately rejoin the division, which was then en-
camped in the vicinity of Wolf's-Run Shoals. Wolf's
Run was a tributary to the Occoquan, six miles from
Fairfax Station. It was a sore trial to the men to
leave their pleasant habitations ; but there was no help
for it : and on the morning of Nov. 25, they start-
ed, reaching Wolf's Run about noon. The water
was ice-cold, and the bottom of the Run strewn with
loose, slippery stones ; making the passage both disa-
greeable and dangerous. Several men fell, and one
wagon capsized, turning nearly all its contents into
the stream. Upon the opposite side the regiment was
ordered to go into bivouac, and wait for a train of
wagons loaded with hospital supplies, expected soon
to arrive from Washington. Thanksgiving Day, the
27th, found them still waiting, and brought with it,
THANKSGIVING DAY IN CAMP. 307
by express, a large number of boxes for the regiment,
containing good things from home, and a special feast
for Company E (the Pulaski guards), accompanied by
a delegation of South-Boston gentlemen mainly instru-
mental in securing its collection, and seeing it safe
through to its happy recipients. Above the camp was
an abandoned rebel earthwork, sheltered from the
wind, spacious, sightly, and affording an admirable
place for a Thanksgiving dinner ; and there the tables
were accordingly spread. Never was New England's
honored feast more thoroughly appreciated, or more
heartily enjoyed. Full justice was done to the ample
supplies provided ; and the proceedings concluded by
speeches from several of the invited guests and mem-
bers of the company.
The expected wagon-train did not arrive until the
evening of Nov. 30, having been delayed by some diffi-
culty in obtaining the requisite supplies, and by the
broken and miry condition of the roads. On the morn-
ing of Dec. 1, the march was resumed ; and before
night the command went into bivouac at Dumfries, on
the north side of Quantico Creek, about two and one-
half miles from its mouth. Formerly this had been a
thriving and prosperous place, containing two churches,
a flour-mill, woollen factory, and several stores ; and
carried on quite a trade by way of Quantico Creek,
the Potomac, and Chesapeake Bay, with Washington
and Baltimore. But every thing had apparently fallen
into decay ; not over one hundred inhabitants remain-
ing in the place, and most of those were women.
Close by Dumfries were seen the camps occupied by
the rebel forces during the winter of 1861-2, when
the First Regiment was at Budd's Ferry, indicating
308 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
that not less than ten thousand men had been encamped
there at one time.
The march was resumed on the next day, and con-
tinued, without unusual incident, to Stafford Court
House, an insigificant settlement near Aquia Creek,
containing a court house, jail, store, and half a dozen
dwelling-houses. About noon, Dec. 3, the regiment
came up with the rest of the division, and encamped
in a thick pine wood, equidistant from the Aquia-Creek
Railroad in the rear, and the Rappahannock River in
front.
^_
i'
CHAPTER XII.
BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
" The grand old earth shakes to the tread of the Norsemen,
Who meet, as of old, in defence of the true.
All hail to the stars that are set in their banner !
All hail to the red, and the white, and the blue !
As each column wheels by,
Hear their heart's battle-cry, —
It was Warren's, — ' ' Tis sweet for our country to die / ' "
T. B. ALDRica.
THE appointment of Gen. Burnside to command
the Army of the Potomac had been entu-ely un-
solicited on his part. He rather shrank from the
responsibilities of such an important position ; but his
patriotism was of such a self-sacrificing quality, that
he allowed himself to be persuaded into its acceptance.
As a man, he had the confidence and respect of every
person in the army : as a great general, required to
manoeuvre and control one hundred and twenty thou-
sand men, it was felt that he had not had sufficient
experience.
The troops were in admirable condition and good
spirits when he assumed the reins, and, being numeri-
cally ahead of the rebel forces to the extent of thirty
thousand men, his friends were confident he would
force Lee back upon Richmond in course of the win-
ter. The seven corps composing the army were or-
ganized into three grand divisions ; the second and
ninth corps forming the right grand division ; the first
310 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
and sixth corps, the left; the third and fifth, the cen-
tre ; the eleventh corps to constitute a reserve, with
such assignments of cavahy, artillery, and recruits as
the exigencies of the service might require. On the
right, Gen. E. V. Sumner was in command ; on the
left, Gen. W. B. Franklin ; in the centre, Gen. Joseph
Hooker. Gen. F. Siegel commanded the reserves.
The direction of the Union forces was first towards
Gordonsville, so that, to prevent himself from being cut
off from Richmond, Gen. Lee was obliged to fall back
with considerable haste. Stonewall Jackson attempted
to distract the attention of Gen. Burnside's forces by
occupying a portion of the country looking towards the
valley of the Potomac ; but it was discovered that his
movement was only a feint, and nothing came of it.
Warrenton was evacuated by the Union army on
the 15th of November, and the line of march taken up
towards Fredericksburg. Gen Lee fell back simulta-
neously, and occupied Gordonsville, keeping the bulk
of his forces parallel with tlie columns of Gen. Burn-
side, and about forty or fifty miles to the left and
rear.
Supplies were sent to Aquia Creek, and the railroad
thence to Falmouth was put in complete repair for
their transmission.
Gen. Sumner, at the head of the right grand divi-
sion, reached Falmouth on the 20th of November,
which he occupied without resistance. This pleasant
and thriving town, situated on the left bank of the
Rappahannock, sixty-four miles north of Richmond,
was the grand rendezvous for Gen. Burnside's forces.
It was nearly opposite Fredericksburg, surrounded
with hills sloping to the river, and had been a place
FREDERICKSBURG. 311
of considerable business and wealth. It contained one
church, thirteen stores, eighty dwelling-houses, six
flour and grist mills, various mechanics' shops, and
five hundred inhabitants. The bridges connecting it
with Fredericksburg had been destroyed, so that what-
ever communication existed between the residents was
carried on by means of boats.
Fredericksburg, right opposite, and extending below
for a distance of one mile, was delightfully located
along the river bank, in a broad basin of land skirted
by a semicircular range of hills overlooking the city
in every direction. It was named hi honor of Prince
Frederick, father of George III., and' settled long be-
fore tlie Revolutionary War. Washington's father
lived here several years, while George was a boy ; and
the remains of his mother still lie in a field near the
handsome family mansion they formerly occupied.
Previous to the war, Fredericksburg exported flour,
grain, tobacco, leather, &c., worth four millions a year.
In 1860 its population was over five thousand, and con-
stantly increasing. Its people were generally disloyal,
having been infected with the sophistry of Gen. Lee, —
that they must go with their State, without regard to
tlie nation ; as though a man owed greater allegiance
to one thirty-sixth of a great country, because he hap-
pened to be born on its soil, than to the remaining
thirty-five thirty-sixths ! The manufactories of the
city, at this time, were producing clothing, subsist-
ence, and munitions of war for the rebel army ; and
these it had been determined to close or destroy. On
the 21st of November, Gen. Sumner sent to the mayor
and common council a formal demand for the surren-
der of the city, alleging that his troops had been fired
312 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
upon from the houses ; and tliat the mills, railroads,
and other resources of the people, had been devoted to
the extension of aid and comfort to the enemy ;
threatening, in case his demand was not complied
with, to shell the town, after allowing a sufficient time
for the removal of women, children, the aged, and the
sick. Mayor Slaughter responded, in behalf of the
citizens, that the firing complained of was the act of
rebel soldiers having no residence in the city, and no
connection with the municipal authorities ; that tlie
mills and factories should be stopped forthwith; but
that the city could not be surrendered, the generals
in command of the rebel forces near by having positively
forbidden it, as they neither intended to occupy it them-
selves, nor to allow the Union forces to do so. It is
possible, had Gen. Sumner immediately entered Freder-
icksburg in force, that the disaster which followed might
have been averted; but he proceeded to parley with tlie
authorities, which gave the rebels time to throw up
formidable earthworks on the surrounding hills, and
gather together most of their army in the immediate
vicinity. There was also an unaccountable delay in
forwarding from Washington the pontoon-trains needed
to make the passage of the Rappahannock ; so that, by
the time all the grand divisions of the Union army had
arrived in front of Fredericksburg, Gen. Lee had massed
his forces in the rear of it. Along the banks of the
Rappahannock, which, at this point, is only a few
hundred feet wide, the pickets of both armies were
posted ; the Union pickets being on the Falmouth side,
and the rebels on the Fredericksburg side. They had
entered into an agreement not to fire upon each other,
spending their time in watching such of the operations
PREPARATIONS FOR THE ATTACK. 313
as they could see on either side, or by jeering each
other, until it was forbidden by the officers. Some
trading was carried on by means of shingles launched
upon the river, freighted with tobacco or papers, and
driven across by the wind ; but most of these invest-
ments resulted in loss, much to the disgust of the ad-
venturers. The rebel pickets were so near, that our
men could see how poorly they were clothed, and hear
them complain that they were only half fed. Frequently
there was but one overcoat to three of them, and as
they relieved each other this was passed from one to
the other. There was no such destitution as this in
our army, although regiments were compelled to wait
occasionally several days before their requisitions were
fully met.
Gen. Burnside, having discovered that the enemy
did not anticipate his crossing the Rappahannock in
front of Fredericksburg, prepared to do so without
delay.
The pontoons had been floated down Quantico Creek
from Dumfries, and carried to Aquia-Creek Landing
by water. Thence they were conveyed on the cars to
Falmouth ; and, during the night of Dec. 10, trans-
ported to the river for use the next day.
The troops were supplied with sixty cartridges
apiece, and subsistence for three days. One hundred
and forty-three pieces of artillery were posted, com-
manding every foot of Fredericksburg soil ; and long
before daylight on the 11th, the men were roused
from their slumbers, and made ready for the approacli-
ing conflict. The morning was cold and still ; and the
smoke from thousands of fires having become chilled
rested upon the ground, and covered it like a cloud.
27
314 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
It was impossible for the rebels to observe, on this ac-
count, what we were about; and considerable progress
had been made before daybreak, when they became
aware of our designs. Immediately a brisk fire of
musketry was opened upon the engineers and their
assistants, which at once interrupted proceedings, and
drove them back from the bank of the river. The
houses on the opposite shore afforded admirable cover
for the enemy's sharp-shooters, who rested their guns
across the sills of the windows, and picked off officers
and men at their leisure.
Under cover of the surrounding hills, the pontoniers
re-formed, and again advanced to their perilous under-
taking. It was now daylight : the smoke was liftuig ;
and the persons of the bridge-builders were fully ex-
posed to view. The rebels had strengthened their
picket-line ; and all their rifle-pits were full of sharp-
shooters, pouring, not single shots, but whole volleys,
upon the devoted men wlio were endeavoring to lay
the pontoons. To persist in the undertaking was
almost certain death. Planks, boats, and wagons, as
well as men, were riddled with the flying balls ; and
again the effort was abandoned, and the working-party
fell to the rear.
Orders were now given for the artillery to open upon
the town, which were obeyed at once. The concussion
was tremendous. Most of the guns were as large as,
or larger than, twelve-pounders ; and some were thirty-
two-pounders. They were all worked with a will, and
the incessant discharges joined in one continuous and
deafening roar. They fired mainly shells, which flew
through the streets in every direction, perforating
buildings, knocking down chimneys, and setting fire
THE PASSAGE OF THE RIVER. 315
to half a dozen habitations at ouce. Houses which
had sheltered sharp-shooters were made targets for a
specially energetic fire ; and speedily they were cleared,
the former occupants retreating to the rear of the
town, where they were out of harm's way.
Under cover of the artillery, another attempt was
made to go on with laying the pontoons ; but a suffi-
cient number of the rebels had remained in their rifle-
pits to render this almost as hazardous as before, and
a third time it had to be given up.
It was now afternoon, the best part of the day had
gone, quite a number of men had been killed or wound-
ed, and nothing was accomplished. Some one sug-
gested that voUmtcers go over in the pontoons by
boat-loads, clear out the rebels from their rifle-pits and
hiding-places, and hold the town until the bridges
could be thrown across. It was immediately acted
upon. A large number of men from the Nineteenth
Massachusetts and Seventh Michigan Regiments hur-
ried down to the river, launched the boats, filled
them, pushed over, landed, rushed up the bank, into
the buildings and over the rifle-pits near them, chasing
the flying rebels from house to house and corner to
corner, until they fell back from the rear of the town,
and disappeared beyond the crest of the hill. There
was no longer any obstacle to the completion of the
bridges. They were laid as expeditiously as possible ;
and the whole of Gen. Sumner's grand division crossed,
with a portion of Gen. Hooker's. During all this
time, the rebels had used nothing but small-arms.
Their batteries had not responded to our artillery^fire
by a single shot ; and when Gen. Sumner's troops were
316 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
filing across the bridges, in plain sight of their posi-
tion, they made no effort to prevent it.
The city presented a scene of destruction and ruin
which seemed truly deplorable. Walls were breached ;
roofs crushed in ; fronts rent, shattered, tottering ; in-
teriors demolished ; a dozen homes burning ; dwellings
and furniture alike left by the frightened inhabitants,
most of whom had departed from the city, and were
then encamped in the woods beyond.
Among those who went over the river with the Nine-
teenth Massachusetts Regiment, before the bridges
were done, was the Rev. Arthur B. Fuller, former
chaplain of the Massachusetts Sixteenth Regiment.
He had just been mustered out of service on account
of ill health, and had come on to pay a farewell visit
to the regiment as they started for Fredericksburg.
The Sixteenth was not called upon to cross with the
Nineteenth ; but Mr. Fuller, standing upon the bank,
and seeing the boats pushed off, became seized with a
desire to go in one of them ; and so obtained a mus-
ket, and went over with the rest. In the melee which
occurred as soon as the men had scaled the bank
and begun to advance along the streets, Mr. Ful-
ler was shot through the side and breast, and in-
stantly killed. He was robbed of his watch and mon-
ey, and a portion of his clothing ; but his body was
recovered in the afternoon, and sent North for inter-
•5
ment.
Nothing could have been more admirable and gallant
than the passage of the river in open boats, exposed,
every inch of the way, to a galling and destructive fire,
by these brave men from Massachusetts and Michigan.
What the bombardment of seven long hours, involving
THE PASSAGE OF THE RIVER. 317
an expenditure of tons of shot and shell, had failed
to accomplisli, about four hundred resolute fellows
achieved in less than one. Every effort was made by
the rebels to prevent the passage of the boats. From
all their lurking-places, they poured in an angry and
rapid fire, riddling the pontoons, and killing and
wounding manyof tlie occupants; but as soon as they
reached* the opposite bank, and rushed up to the as-
sault,— from an hundred concealments, stone walls,
earthworks, cellars, and vacant buildings, they started
up, and tried to scramble away. Many of them were
brouglit down by Union bullets; and over eighty were
secured, and sent back as prisoners.
Until dusk, on the 11th, the crossing conthiued ; not
only Fredericksburg, but a large portion of the plain
above, below, and beyond it, being occupied by our
forces. The remainder bivouacked on the Falmouth
side, turning in as they stood, without regard to tents.
The night was frosty, and the next morning similar
to that which preceded it. Owing to the dense cloud
of smoke which obscured every thing from view, move-
ments were not so rapid as otherwise they would have
been. Crossing recommenced early, and continued
all day on the 12th.
In the afternoon, some rebel guns from the batteries
nearest the city opened upon it ; but a few shots from
the Union side silenced them, and they remained quiet
the rest of the day. From morning until night, the
First Regiment stood upon the bank watching the
passage of the bridges, and waiting their turn to go
over with the rest. Artillery-firing had been slight and
irregular ; and, after the rebel sharp-shooters had been
routed from the town, the musketry ceased altogether.
27*
318 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Just before dark, orders were issued to divide Gen.
Hooker's grand division, sending a portion of it
with the right under Gen. Sumner, and the rest with
the left under Gen. Franklin. The latter officer had
met with no obstacle in building his bridges, inasmuch
as right in front of the place he had chosen was an
open plain swept in every direction by the fire of his
])atteries. The division of Gen. Sickles marched to
his support, and reached a forest bordering the river-
side about seven o'clock. They went into bivouac
here, and remained until morning. From neighboring
hill-tops nearly all his forces could be seen, stretched
across an open plain, beyond which were woods and ris-
ing ground held by the enemy. The rebels had taken
advantage of the natural defences of the country, and
posted their troops from Fort Royal, below Fredericks-
burg, in two lines, to Guinney's Station on the Rich-
mond and Fredericksburg Railroad ; thence to the
Telegraph Road, and thence to a point west of Mas-
saponax Creek, six miles above Fredericksburg.
Their best generals were all present, including Lee,
Jackson, Longstreet, Stuart, and Hill. Their troops
were spread like the outer portion of a lady's folding
fan, when it is open. Ours were gathered together
like the inner portion. From whatever part of the po-
sition held by them the Union forces attempted to ad-
vance, the rebels could pour upon them a concentric
fire, under which, if kept up, it was utterly in vain
for men to attempt to stand. This was not known, of
course, on the morning of Saturday, the 13th ; but
it was found out afterwards, at a fearful cost.
Before noon of the 13th, Gen. Sickles' s division
was ordered across the river to occupy an open field
FURIOUS FIGHTING ON THE LEFT. 319
in the front line of battle between Gen. Franklin's
forces on the left, and the rest of Gen. Hooker's
grand division on the right. As they advanced across
the plain, a few cannon-shots were fired over their
heads, but otherwise their advance was not disputed,
until they came within rifle-shot of the rebel position,
just in the rear of a line of skirmishers whom they
were to relieve.
All the morning a furious conflict had been raging
on the left, caused by a galling fire from some rebel
guns which the Ninth New- York Regiment was ordered
to charge upon, and, if possible, capture. They made
the charge, but failed to effect the capture, the enemy's
artillery being too strongly supported. Gen. Tyler or-
dered forward a brigade ; but the rebel commander
opposed to him did the same thing, and again the
Union forces failed to accomplish their object. Deter-
mined not to be foiled, a general assault was ordered ;
and as this took the rebels somewhat at a disadvantage,
on account of our numerical superiority, they began
gradually to fall back. The ground was contested
with pertinacious obstinacy, however, and yielded to
our advancing columns only inch by inch. Two or
three times, counter charges were attempted, one of
which resulted in the capture of a large number of
rebel prisoners. The right flank of Lee's army was
evidently turned, as his line was driven back a mile,
and at dark our forces held the ground gained.
On the right we had not succeeded so well. The
rebels were under cover, and their position could on-
ly be taken by storm. Our men were ordered to fix
bayonets, and charge. There was an open plain to
cross, perhaps half a mile wide. It was commanded
320 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT,
first by a long stone wall, which had been strengthened
by earth, and was held by a large force of sharp-shoot-
ers. Above was a row of light batteries, designed
to throw canister and spherical case ; and, higher up
still, heavier guns, located in splendid field-works, and
supported by brigades of infantry. At the right and
left, other batteries were planted, enfilading the po-
sition, and rendering an assault almost certain death.
The order to charge was given, nevertheless ; and our
brave troops attempted to carry it into execution ; but,
the moment they exposed themselves, the murderous
missiles of lead and iron flew in every direction. Kifle-
pits, batteries, hill-tops, and stone wall blazed with fire,
and hurled a perfect avalanche of cannon-balls and
bullets through their ranks. They were literally
mowed down by hundreds. Great chasms were opened
in their lines by canister and shell, and whole company
fronts, broken up into little squads, reeled and stag-
gered in the midst of the tempest of death. But
again and again they closed up. Again and again
they pressed forward over the mangled and prostrate
forms of their comrades. Three times thrown into
disorder ; three times quivering, faltering, hesitating ;
three times they were steadied, brought together, and
led onward again. TJiey had crossed the plain, and
almost reached the stone wall at its base, when whole
divisions of the enemy rose up on top of the hill, and
poured a terribly destructive fire, at short range, right
into their faces. Flesli and blood could not endure it.
The centre halted, wavered, and turned back. The
whole line followed, pursued by the same terrific vol-
leys which had greeted their advance in the beginning,
REPULSE OF THE FEDERAL TROOPS. 321
mingled with shouts and yells from the enemy, exult-
ing over our discomfiture.
As soon as it could be done with safety to his own
men, Gen. Sumner opened with all his artillery upon
the rebel position, and forced the vociferating crowd
under cover again. In the centre, commanded by
Gen. Hooker, whose grand division had been consider-
ably weakened to reenforce Franklin, skirmishing com-
menced early in the day and continued until late in
the forenoon, accompanied by a rapid cannonade, par-
ticipated in by both parties, without much apparent
result, on account of the dense and smoky condi-
tion of the atmosphere. Artillery seemed to have
no effect upon the rebels, as they were perfectly
shielded behind their earthworks and intrenchments.
At noon, therefore, an effort was made to dislodge
them with the bayonet. The troops formed in plain
sight of the enemy, and charged up to within five
hundred yards of his works, but were received with
such rapid and withering volleys, that their progress
became slower and slower, and finally was arrested
altogether. Reenforcements were sent forward, and
some advance made ; but, for every moment's stay,
our loss in killed and wounded was so heavy, that, be-
tween five and six in the afternoon, the infantry fell
back beyond range of the rebel fire ; and the artillery
alone renewed tlie battle, keeping it up until late into
the night.
Thus closed the 13th. No advantage had been
gained by the Union forces, except on the left by Gen.
Franklin. For some reason, this advantage was not
followed up. Thousands of men had been killed,
wounded, and taken prisoners ; most of the killed and
322 THE FinST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. ^
wounded lying in such a position between the two
lines, that they could not be approached for burial or
relief. Several regiments having been caught in a
valley between two hills, fronting the enemy and
swept by their guns along every rod of the summits,
were compelled to lie there, hugging the ground to
keep beneath the line swept by the rifle-balls, all day
aud part of the night. No sooner did a man lift his
head, than he became the target for half a dozen or
more sharp-shooters, who fired at everybody they could
see within range of their weapons.
The night of the 13th closed in clear and cool. The
First Regiment lay in a corn-field, still rough with the
ridges of the last summer's harvest. The ground was
soft enough, but damp and chilly. No fires were aK
lowed, for fear of drawing the enemy's volleys; and the
men lay all night, shivering and in suspense, between
the furrows of the corn-field. Occasionally a gun was
discharged ; but for most of the night the silence was
unbroken, except by the axes of rebel woodchoppers,
who spent the hours between dark and daylight in
fortifying their position, expecting that it would be
assaulted the next day.
At daybreak, the skirmishers began their duels again,
and continued them for most of the day! AVhoever
approached the Union front did it at the peril of his
life ; and the relief of skirmishers was the occasion of a
specially vigorous fusillade.
Early in the morning, the rebels attempted to shell
our brigade, by running out cannon to a position in
front of their main line ; but a company of riflemen
from the Second New-Hampshire Regiment, having
taken an advanced position within a few hundred
SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES. 323
yards, drove gunners, officers, and horses in confusion
from their pieces, and kept tliem quiet for the rest of
the day.
By mutual consent, the firing ceased at noon ; and,
permission having been obtained to bring in our
wounded, a suspension of hostilities was agreed upon.
Sharp-shooters, skirmishers, and soldiers from the near-
est lines of battle, immediately left their places, and
advanced towards the rebels, while they, in turn, came
forward to meet our men. It presented one of the
strangest sights to which the war had given rise.
Rebels and Unionists of all ranks were mixed up
together, talking in the most frank and cordial manner,
as though they had always been friends and intended
ever to remain so. Large quantities of tobacco were ex-
changed by the rebels for Northern papers, chiefly picto-
rials, which they regarded with great favor. A couple
of officers, — one Union, the other Rebel, — played
a game of cards ; and several other groups took a drink
of whiskey together, and toasted, — one side the Federal
arms, and the other the Rebel. As usual, the rebels
were confident of final success, but acknowledged that
they had been compelled to do a great deal of hard
fighting, and might be forced to do a great deal more.
In two or three instances, soldiers on opposite sides,
who had been friends or acquaintances before the
war, recognized each other, and discussed the merits
of their respective parties with all the avidity of
thorough-bred politicians at some general nominat-
ing convention.
As soon as the ambulances and stretcher-bearers
had finished their work, the truce terminated ; and the
parties separated, half reluctantly, as it were, some in
324 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
a spirit of banter and brag, and others with manifesta-
tions of real friendhness and good-will. Another night
of comparative quiet succeeded, broken only by the
ring of axes, and the clatter of intrenching tools in the
neighboring woods, showing that the enemy anticipated
a second advance on our part, and were making pre-
parations to give us a warm reception when we under-
took it. Along certain portions of our own line, slight
earthworks were thrown up, barely sufficient to cover
infantry ; but no attempt was made to construct regu-
lar intrenchments.
Monday, the 15th, brought with it no renewal of the
conflict on either side. Both parties occupied rela-
tively the same position, and carried on a scattering
and irregular fire, which did very little harm. Sunday
and Monday, Fredericksburg had been in possession of
our troops ; and many of its houses were used as hos-
pitals for our sick and wounded men. The streets
were strewn with the wreck of houses, furniture, and
war material, scattered about during and subsequent
to the bombardment of the 11th. Turn wherever you
might, your eye would be greeted, with the ruinous re-
sults caused by Union artillery. Hardly a house but
had been penetrated, and many had been scored from
cellar to garret, by the flying projectiles. The Bank
of the State of Virginia, with a large number of other
business and dwelling-houses, had been reduced to
ashes ; streets and sidewalks were piled up with bricks,
knocked off the roofs or fallen from the burning dwell-
ings ; doors were burst in, windows broken open ;
spacious habitations were standing silent, tenantless,
and emptied of furniture, excepting a few old chairs
and tables, not worth carrying away ; while whole
ORDER TO RECROSS THE RIVER. 325
streets, deserted, desolate, forsaken, echoed only to
the tread of some Union sentinel, as he paced to and
fro on his solitary beat.
Of the former inhabitants, only fifteen or twenty
families remained during the bombardment ; and they
saved themselves from destruction only by retiiing to
their cellars. They were mostly Union people, who
had determined to abide the issue of the battle, which-
ever way it terminated.
Night closed on the 15th, without any change of
position on either side. Except an occasional dis-
charge along the skirmish line, there had been no
renewal of the assault by the Union forces ; and the
rebels manifested an obstinate determination to remain
in their intrenchments, and act entirely on the defen-
sive.
It was considered possible to drive them out of these
at the point of the bayonet ; but the accomplishment of
such an undertaking would involve so fearful an ex-
penditure of human life, that Gen. Burnside and his
grand-division commanders shrank from the endeavor.
Orders were therefore promulgated to keep up a show
of force along the skirmish line and front line of battle
till late into the night, and then to fall back as quietly
as possible to the other side of the river. It is astonish-
ing how much quicker the forces came back than they
went over, — nearly two days in getting across, they
returned inside of eight hours.
Special guards were posted to keep the fires burning
brightly along the stations of the reserves, and make
such other demonstrations as would most effectually
cover and conceal the retrograde movement. The
artillery was sent back first, that the guns might be
28
326 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
stationed so as to cover the retreating columns, if they
were assaulted and forced to give battle. Next came
the ammunition and supply trains, ambulances and
hospital-wagons, and, last of all, the infantry and cav-
alry.
Just as the movement began, dark clouds covered the
heavens with their obscuring shadows ; and a strong
wind arose, which roared through the forest, and drove
the branches of the trees against each other, making
such a clatter as completely to render inaudible the
rumbling of wheels over roads and bridges, the tink-
ling of spurs and sabres, and the jingle of dippers,
bayonet-scabbards, and infantry accoutrements, —
sounds always heard whenever an army is in motion.
At two o'clock in the morning, the Massachusetts
First, which had been retained on the skirmish line to
the last moment, began cautiously to move to the rear.
Not a sound came from the woods in front, not an in-
dication was observable that the enemy suspected our
intention to retire. The bridges were reached in safety,
crossed, and taken up before daylight, without the loss
of a man !
Soon after three o'clock, the dark clouds which had
arisen in the earlier part of the night poured forth a
deluge of rain, which continued until after daybreak.
This served more effectually to keep the rebels unob-
servant, while, at the same time, it added to the diffi-
culties attending a pursuit. Soon after daybreak there
was considerable commotion along their lines, as they
opened their eyes and found that their neighbors of the
evening previous had moved away during the darkness,
without the formality of an adieu ; and, after a few
rounds of artillery, some of their skirmishers crept
THE THIRD FAILURE. 327
along towards the river bank. They found, however,
that every precaution had been taken to guard against
disaster ; and, not liking the thirty-two pound shells
sent whizzing among them by the First Connecticut
Heavy Artillery, they beat a precipitate retreat into
the woods.
The wounded were then removed several miles back
from the river, the hospitals in the vicinity broken
up, and the troops ordered to report during the day at
their old quarters, where before night most of them
arrived.
Our loss during the five days had been as follows: —
In Gen. Sumner's grand division 473 killed, 4,090
wounded, 748 missing ; making a total of 5,311.
In Gen. Hooker's grand division, 326 killed, 2,468
wounded, 754 missing; amounting to 3,548.
In Gen. Franklin's grand division, 339 killed, 2,547
wounded, 576 missing; total 3,462.
Whole number killed, 1,138 ; whole number wound-
ed, 9,105 ; whole number missing, 2,078 ; making a
grand total of 12,321.
The rebel loss was not stated officially, but was sup-
posed to be less than five thousand, killed, wounded,
and missing.
Thus resulted in failure the third attempt made by
the Union forces to capture Richmond. It spread a
feeling of gloom all over the country. The disloyal
charged Union generals, the War Department, Presi-
dent Lincoln, and the Administration throughout,
with imbecility ; and many of the loyal felt that they
had been served at best in but an indifferent and unsat-
isfactory manner. Gen. Burnside came out with a frank
and manly statement of every thing that had trans-
328 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
pired at army headquarters, or in his intercourse with
Gen. Halleck and President Lincoln, assuming all the
responsibility that belonged to him, and perhaps a little
more, expressing at the same time his great admiration
of the gallantry, courage, and endurance shown by the
troops throughout the undertaking, and his heartfelt
sympathies for the wounded and bereaved. The rebels
were demonstratively exultant over the result, and
averred that the war was about over, and their inde-
pendence nearly achieved.
No doubt the rank and file of the Southern army,
poorly fed, poorly clothed, and poorly paid, compelled
to march hundreds of miles, and fight closed in mass
so compactly that artillery made frightful havoc in
their ranks, were longing to see the close of the
war. Stories of prisoners and deserters agreed upon
this point; making it evident, that if the Federal
authorities could prolong it, and make them feel its
burdens more and more, they must finally give way
from the utter impossibility of bearing up under them.
During an interval of the fighting at Fredericksburg,
soldiers from the front line of the rebel forces were
observed to creep out of their places towards the bodies
of our dead, who had on their army overcoats when
they went into the battle ; stand the stiffened corpses
upon their feet until they could strip off these coveted
garments ; and then let them fall again to the earth.
They invariably preferred the warm and comfortable
attire furnished Union soldiers to their own coarse and
scanty uniform ; and improved every opportunity pre-
sented to procure it.
During the winter following the battle of Fredericks-
burg, their pickets along tlie Rappahannock repeatedly
CASUALTIES AT FREDERICKSBURG. 329
endeavored to purchase Federal overcoats, offering to
pay in greenbacks the regular quartermaster's price, or
even more. Subsequent to the battle, parties met from
both sides several times, bearing flags of truce, to
effect an exchange of wounded general officers, or
obtain the bodies of those who were dead ; and some
rebel females were allowed to pass over into their lines,
and loyal ladies were received into ours.
After the evacuation of Fredericksburg on the
morning of Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Massachusetts First
Regiment met for the first time its new colonel, Capt.
Napoleon B. McLaughlin, of the regular army. He had
been detached from the sixth regular cavalry, and
commissioned by Gov. John A. Andrew to occupy
the place previously held by Gen. Robert Cowdin.
He continued in command of the regiment until it was
mustered out of the service in May, 1864, and then
assumed command of the Fifty-seventh veterans, receiv-
ing the commission of brevet brigadier-general of vol-
unteers for gallantry in action during the siege of
Petersburg ; and, at the conclusion of the war, the post
of lieutenant-colonel of cavalry in his old regiment.
The losses of the First Regiment during the battle
of Fredericksburg were light, inasmuch as they were
on the skirmish line throughout tlie fighting, and took
no part in the charges made upon the rebel batteries.
They were as follows : —
Company G : Killed, Private John W. Brown.
Company C : Wounded, Sergeant David L. Messer,
contusion in the breast ; Corporal Frederic W. Trow-
bridge, wound in the hand ; Corporal Eben 0. Avery,
wound in the leg ; John Dorrans, wound in the hand ;
28*
330 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
William Mahlman, shot through the leg (subsequently
died) ; Edward J. Ford, wound in the leg.
Company D: Wounded, Sergeant Seth F. Clark,
shot through the knee (subsequently died) ; Sergeant
James M. Sprague, shot through the thigh ; Corporal
Alfred Hocking, shot through the breast ; John H.
Baldwin, contusion.
Company E : Sergeant Frederick Pierce, wound in
the knee ; John Potter, wound in the neck.
Company F : Sergeant William J. Loheed, wound
in the head ; Corporal Charles F. Brown, wound in
the shoulder ; John Q. Burrill, wound in the ankle.
Company G : Woodbury S. Harmon, wound in the
shoulder ; James F. Carbrey, wound in the arm ;
James Chadwick, wound in the hand ; James Norton,
wound in the hip.
Company H : Corporal Patrick J. Donovan, shot in
the shoulder ; Nathaniel B. Emerson, shot in the leg ;
Christopher C. Grover, severe wound in the thigh ;
John York, shot in the hand ; George S. Sullivan, shot
in the hand.
Company I : George R. Kidder, wound in the arm ;
Samson Woodhall, wound in the head ; William
Ready, wound in the hand.
Company K : Sergeant Adoniram J. Barteaux, shot
in the shoulder ; Thomas T. Mahony, shot in the head ;
Langdon Sheriff, shot in the arm ; Robert J. Westa-
cott, shot in the leg.
CHAPTER XIII.
CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH.
" In Freedom's name our blades we draw —
She arras us for the fight —
For country, government, and law.
For liberty and right.
The Union must, — shall be preserved;
Our flag still o'er us fly !
That cause our hearts and hands has nerved;
And we will do, or die." — Geokge P. Morris.
IN company with the rest of the division, the First
Regiment returned to its old camping-ground, be-
tween the Aquia-Creek Raih'oad and the Rappahan-
nock River, Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Tlie unbroken forest which the troops entered when
they arrived from Fairfax Station had been considera-
bly thinned by woodchoppers previous to the assault
upon Fredericksburg, and the ground cleared of under-
brush, so as to make it convenient to camp upon.
The attention of the regimental commanders was
not immediately turned to winter-quarters, because it
seems to have been Gen. Burnside's determination,
should the weather prove favorable, to attempt the
passage of the Rappahannock again, above or below
the position held by Gen. Lee, and fall upon his right
or left flank. Nevertheless, such of the soldiers as
were camped in the open field built up for themselves
temporary habitations of stones and sods, strengthened
by whatever logs and strips of board they could col-
332 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
lect, making the whole of one end a fireplace ; and, by
stretching their shelter-tents over the top, managed to
secure a tolerable protection from the bleak winds and
occasional snow-storms to which the region was sub-
ject.
In the course of a few days, the usual routine of camp
life was resumed, comprising company and battalion
drills, inspections, and dress-parades ; the latter always
being held when the weather was favorable. Several
changes were introduced by Col. McLaughlin, as being
more in accordance with strict military usage ; one of
which was the abandonment of the hollow-square forma-
tion following evening dress-parade, — to w4iich the reg-
iment had been accustomed, for greater ease and con-
venience in reading and listening to orders, and the
regular devotional service, — and the retention of the
companies in line at the ^'parade rest," until the exer-
cises terminated. He also awakened a salutary spirit
of emulation among the men, by excusing from guard-
duty for a month the six men of the regiment who, at
any given inspection, had the cleanest guns, tlie bright-
est brasses, the neatest accoutrements, and the best-
looking uniforms, and who made the most creditable
and soldier-like appearance on parade.
He required his field and staff officers to accom-
pany him through the companies while inspection was
going on, and subjected every soldier to the most rigid
scrutiny from top to toe. Not only were the careful
rewarded, but the careless were punished. If a man
had neglected to cut his hair or beard after being told
to do so, or ventured to appear in line with unpolished
gun-barrel, unscrubbed brasses, or unblacked boots,
he received two or three days', or a week's, extra al-
ARDUOUS PICKET-DUTY. 333
lowance of guard-duty, to quicken his memory ani
increase his diligence.
About the same time, a new assignment of officers
to companies was made, regulated, as far as possible, by
seniority in the service ; and the companies were also
located anew in the regimental line.
Picket-duty was arduous and trying on account of
the condition of the roads, and the distance of the
picket-line from camp. Instead of selecting a com-
pany from each regiment in the division, a whole regi-
ment was sent out at once, leaving only men enough
behind to do guard-duty while the others were gone.
This method was much more popular among the men, as
it kept regiments together, and did not compel the same
regiment to send out a portion of its number every day.
It also enabled the men to remain together in camp.
The picket-line was a considerable distance above
Falmouth, extending across a country alternately open
and heavily wooded ; and the roads to it, after the wet
weather set in, became almost impassable to the troops,
and quite so to heavily-loaded teams ajiid artillery.
Christmas came and went in camp without any par-
ticular celebration. Owing to some misunderstanding
between the War Department and the express com-
panies, no boxes, parcels, or packages were brought to
the troops from home ; so that, in observing the day,
they were obliged to content themselves with what few
things they could obtain of the regimental sutlers.
It was evident on the 1st of January, 1863, that the
First Regiment could not remain long upon its first-
selected camping-ground, and keep warm. The woods
disappeared by the acre every week. There were
from a hundred to a hundred and fifty fires kept
834 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
burning in every regiment all day ; some for the pur-
pose of cooking, but most of them for comfort and of
necessity. Several divisions had been compelled to
move on this account ; and on Saturday, Jan. 3, the
division of Gen. Sickles left its former camping-grounds,
and proceeded a mile and a half to a range of hills on
what was known as the Fitz-Hugh Estate, which were
covered with a heavy growth of oak and pine timber,
suitable for fire-wood and for the construction of log-
huts. Here a regular camp was laid out in parallel
company streets, up and down the hill, for the men ;
while the officers' quarters occupied the ridge. The
trees among which the tents were pitched were thinned
out only enough to make room for their accommoda-
tion, and the rest left standing all winter as a protec-
tion against the winds. It took the men several weeks
to get their quarters completed to their mhids, inas-
much as it was very slow work, and had to be done at
intervals, between drills, reviews, guard-mounting, and
picket-duty. By the middle of January, they were all
snugly housed (with the exception of a few who were
sick while the house-building was going on), and were
at liberty to burn as much wood as they chose to cut
and bring home upon their shoulders. It was the
quartermaster's aim to keep the camp so liberally sup-
plied with this indispensable article, that the men
might always find enough already cut close by their
quarters ; but the condition of the roads, the severity
of the weather, and the employment of the wagons in
drawing subsistence and forage from the cars or the
landing, sometimes prevented him from keeping the
camp as well provided as he could have wished.
Monday, Jan. 5, Gen. Burnside began a series of
DISAFFECTION IN THE ARMY. 335
reviews of the army, preparatory to a movement of some
sort against the enemy. The troops were numerous,
in excellent condition, appeared well, and marched
well ; but there was no enthusiasm among them, and,
apparently, no heart for enterprises of any description.
In the first place, they did not believe in undertaking
an active campaign during the winter season, on ac-
count of the condition of the roads, the unsettled state
of the weather, the necessity of camping out in the
cold with no protection but a common sheltor-tent,
and the aggravated sufferings they must endure if
wounded during such weather ; as well as the greater
probabilities of freezing to death before being found
and attended to. In the next place, a feeling existed
that the Army of the Potomac was moved, not by the
general under whose command it was placed, but by a
junto of military officials at \yashington, who had not
always exhibited as much knowledge of the situation
as they might have possessed had they been in the
field ; and whose dictation or interference were serious
drawbacks to the success of the army in whatever un-
dertaking it might engage.
In the last place, it was believed that Gen. Ihirn-
side was placed in command of the army against his
will ; that he found the position i'e})ugnant and irk-
some to him ; that he would gladly be relieved, and
return to the command of .the ninth corps, for which
ho was admirably fitted, but that Government insisted
upon his remaining where he was ; and he was com-
pelled to obey, or throw up his commission.
All these considerations weighed with the men,
although they may not have been founded on any
thing more substantial than their own imaginations ;
336 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
and the result was a lack of spirit, enthusiasm, and
unity throughout the army. Several times, rumors flew
through the camps that one brigade had revolted and
thrown down their arms, or another had become mu-
tinous and disorderly ; but there never was any special
and concerted outbreak, however much it may have
been talked about in a desultory way.
Soon after the 1st of January, when President Lin-
coln issued his famous Proclamation of Emancipation,
the writer had the good fortune to secure a num-
ber of copies for circulation among the men. It was
a paper for which he had long waited, whose appear-
ance he hailed with delight, and whose influence in de-
ciding the doom of the Rebellion he felt to be potent
and irresistible. It was better than many victories
gained by gunpowder and battalions ; being a declara-
tion made for justice and righteousness. From the
hour that that proclamation received the moral support
of a majority of the people, he felt sure the fortunes
of the rebels would begin to wane.
It was not only circulated among members of the
regiment, but pinned up conspicuously upon the out-
side of the writer's tent, so that visitors might see it as
they came into camp, and be reminded of the new era
which had dawned not only upon the Union but upon
mankind. The regiment took it much more kindly
than they had taken considerable abolition preaching in
former times, showing that the unanswerable logic of
events had effected a change for the better.
/' About this time, a regimental bakery was established,
similar to the one formerly erected at Budd's Ferry.
Instead of hard-bread, the commissary drew flour
equal in value ; and again the soldiers enjoyed nice
THE REGIMENTAL BAKERY. 337
large loaves, that, for whiteness and relish, wonld rival
the best productions of city bakeries. A large regi-
mental fund was likewise accumulated, which supplied
brushes, blacking, polishing-powder, and other articles
not furnished by Government, greatly to the improve-
ment of personal appearance throughout the command.
Extra loaves were sold at a fixed price to men in other
regiments 5 and it should be mentioned, to the credit
of our own bakers, that, although there was anatlier
bakery in full blast at brigade headquarters, the bread
turned out at the regimental establishment bore off
the palm throughout the division.
Had our troops paid any attention to orders to prepare
three or more days' rations, with sixty rounds of ammu-
nition, and be ready to move at a moment's notice, while
they were constructing their rude log-cabins and try-
ing to make themselves comfortable, very few of them
would have lived in any peace during the first part of
the winter. Previous to the 16th of January, two
such orders had been issued from army headquarters,
the necessary reviews and inspections preliminary had
been held, and every thing made ready for a move ;
but, for some reason unexplained, the orders ' had
been countermanded. On the night of the 16th, the
pontoons were brought from Belle Plain to Falmouth,
and after dark, as secretly as possible, taken up the
river about six miles.
On the 17th, an order was again transmitted to pre-
pare the usual three-days' rations, and furnish the
infantry with sixty cartridges apiece. The roads had
not wholly dried, but were in such a condition that
the engineers thought it safe to venture upon them.
Gen. Burnside's forces had been largely increased by
29
338 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS EEGIMENT.
recruits from the North, and by the return of conva-
lescents and the shghtly wounded ; while Gen. Lee's
had been somewhat reduced by the departure of vari-
ous regiments drawn off to strengthen other places.
Gens. Early, Hood, Walker, Ransom, McLaws, Ander-
son, and the two Hills, were at this time in command
of divisions in the rebel army, making eight, of only
four or five brigades apiece, and these very much di-
minished in number, and poorly furnished with mate-
rial. An English officer who visited the rebel army
at this period describes it as " an assemblage of tatter-
demalions, rich mainly in rags, subsisting upon bacon,
corn-meal, flour, and a little salt, without coffee, sugar,
vegetables or fresh meat ; living compactly in log-huts
or underground excavations, swarming with vermin ;
lean, hungry, and shivering, but full of faith in their
cause and of enthusiasm for their leaders ; ready to
suffer, willing to wait, and reliable in battle."
The Union army was all ready to move upon the
18th ; but an order came postponing operations until
further notice, which gave the rebels ample time to
make such preparations as they chose for our recep-
tion. Every thing appertaining to headquarter affairs
seems to have been known by them almost as quickly
as it was promulgated in our own lines. Their pickets
would ask ours what we were going to do with those
three-days' rations and sixty rounds of ammunition
which liad been served out, and occasionally shout the
countersign across the water before it had been passed
round to our own officers. They likewise insolently
urged us to come over and try Fredericksburg again,
as they were almost out of clothing, greenbacks,
and provisions. It was said that a citizen of Falmouth
AGAIN ON THE MARCH. 339
was arrested, in whose cellar was found a complete
magnetic telegraph apparatus, connected with Fred-
ericksburg by a wire running under the river, over
which he was accustomed to send messages conveying
important information which he had gathered within
the Union lines, to the rebel leaders.
It was Gen. Burnside's intention to move his forces
up the left bank of the Rappahannock, cross at the
several fords simultaneously, come down the right bank
upon Gen. Lee's left wing, and secure the rear of the
Fredericksburg position before he had recovered from
his surprise ; but, long before the van of Gen. Burn-
side's army appeared upon the bank, the rebels were
busily engaged upon the opposite side, constructing
rifle-pits and field-works for their batteries.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the order for an immediate
start was issued, after waiting three days from its origi-
nal promulgation. Camp was broken up in the after-
noon, and, after several tedious delays, the line of
march taken in the direction of Hartwood Church,
due north of United-States Ford on the Rappahannock
River, and ten miles above Falmouth. By some mis-
understanding. Gen. Franklin's grand division had
been directed to take the same road with Gen. Hook-
er's ; and as this caused them to be mixed up in inex-
tricable confusion, a halt was ordered by Gen. Sickles,
about dark, to allow Franklin's troops to pass. They
came on rapidly enough, regiment after regiment,
brigade after brigade, and division after division ; but
they were so numerous, that the halt was prolonged
for hours, until it extended far into the night. A cold
north-easterly wind had arisen, accompanied by a fine,
penetrating rain, which led the men to build fires
340 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
along the road in the deserted log-huts of former camp-
ing-grounds. Round thch;e they hovered, stamping
their feet, and moving about to keep warm. As it
seemed that the forces of Gen. Franklin would not
get by before midnight, the order was given for Gen.
Sickles' command to return to camp, and make them-
selves comfortable until morning. It was obeyed with
the utmost alacrity ; and in less than an hour the men
were all snugly ensconced in their old regimental quar-
ters, while the storm, which had increased in violence,
sighed through the branches overhead, and poured tor-
rents of rain upon their frail habitations.
A considerable number of Gen. Franklin's troops
had kept closed up with the van of his advancing col-
umn during the night ; but the great majority had
fallen out of the ranks by the roadside, wherever there
seemed to be a sheltered place, and indignantly de-
clared that they would not be marched at such a time
and in such a manner by their officers, if they were
court-martialed for insubordination. When soldiers
come to such a determination, it is next to impossible
to move them ; consequently, the roads were all night
lined with stragglers from the left grand division.
At daybreak on the 21st, the reveille called the di-
vision to their feet again, breakfast was eaten in camp,
the line formed at eight o'clock, and, in the midst
of the rain, the march was resumed towards Hartwood
Church. There was not a private in the ranks but felt
we were trying to do what was utterly impossible ; and
subsequent experience demonstrated that the instincts
of the common soldier were more correct than the the-
ories of some of the general officers.
The soil of the country was in such a state, that the
IMPASSABLE CONDITION OF THE ROADS. 341
ten hours of rain which preceded the commencement
of the march had transformed seemingly serviceable
roads into impassable ditches, and swollen the brooks,
which crossed them frequently between the hills, into
rapid and formidable streams. Along these roads,
horses and mules struggled and floundered, drawing
much lighter loads than usual, covered with mud
and perspiration, sending up clouds of vapor from
their heated and reeking bodies, and breathing so vio-
lently whenever they stopped for rest, that the motion
shook them from end to end like a convulsion. Some
pieces of light artillery had double and even triple
teams attached to them, tsyelve to eighteen animals
being sometimes harnessed to a single gun, which even
then they dragged through the adhesive mire at a
snail's pace, requiring frequent assistance from the
soldiers, who threw rails and branches from the trees
across the worst places, and pried up the wheels when
they sank so low as to be utterly immovable.
At the crossings of streams, where bridges had not
been rendered indispensably necessary by the depth of
the water, horses and mules were killed in their efforts
to get over, or broke their legs, and had to be put out
of their misery. Every mile presented some such scene,
and the general difficulty of the advance greatly dis-
couraged the troops. The infantry avoided the roads
as much as possible, and picked their way over the
hills and through the fields. Although they could
get along, their progress was accomplished with ex-
treme difficulty, as they were perpetually slipping
back, and occasionally getting tripped up, or lifting
their feet entirely out of their boots, leaving them
buried twelve or fifteen inches in the mucilaginous
29*
342 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS BEGIMENT.
ooze. The scenes of perplexity and embarrassment
exhibited along the line of march, partook so much
more largely of the ludicrous than of the unendura-
ble, hoTvever, that the soldiers reaped full as much
pleasure as pain from their situation.
Arrived at the bank of the Rappahannock, our pick-
ets found that tlie rebels were fully aware of their
forlorn and uncomfortable condition, and disposed
to make light of it by certain signs which they
hung from the trees, informing all observers that
" Gen. Burnside was stuck in the mud." They aho
volunteered to cross over and help us lay the pontoon
bridges, and urged us to come across without delay, as
they were greatly in want of provisions, clothing, and
greenbacks. Meantime the pontoon-carriages and ar-
tillery-wheels, even when at rest, were sinking lower
and lower in tlie mire, as tlie ground softened, and had
to be extricated and placed upon platforms constructed
for the purpose.
The regiment having reached as dry a spot as could
be found near the appointed rendezvous, about noon
went into bivouac for a few liours' rest, where it re-
mained until two o'clock the next day, and was then
ordered out to construct corduroy roads for the extri-
cation of the wagons and batteries. It liad been ascer-
tained by our scouts that the rebels held the right
bank of the Rappahannock in force opposite our posi-
tion, that they had not only thrown up lines of rifle-
pits and earthworks for their artillery, but liad cut
down trees all along tlie edge of the bank, making an
impenetrable abatis covering the approach to every
portion of tlieir defences. With firm footing for the
men, and solid ground for tlie artillery, it was felt that
INCREASED DISAFFECTION IN THE ARMY. 343
this position might be stormed and carried, but, under
the circumstances, that such an attempt would result
only in disaster and defeat. The order was therefore
issued to secure the withdrawal of the pontoons and
batteries at once, and for the whole army to return to
its former locality, and go into winter quarters. The
return was accompanied by scenes even more amusing
than any that transpired during the advance, as fre-
quently, where the slough was particularly soft and
deep, the men were compelled to proceed by single file,
till some venturesome and impatient fellow would start
out to find a better and shorter track, only to sink up
to and even above his knees in mud, and become
the butt of universal ridicule until he waded back
into line again. Another, thinking he could leap a
stream across which his comrades were plodding on
some fallen tree or single plank, would just fail of
reaching the 'opposite side, and drop souse into the
water ; scrambling out, with musket, knapsack, haver-
sack, and clothes all dripping, greeted with roars of
laughter for his exploit, and sundry jibes far fi'om com-
plimentary or soothing.
Although this undertaking led to no bloodshed, a
number of troops were disabled by it, a considerable
amount of property was wasted, and it increased the
spirit of discontent and disaffection already preva-
lent tlu'oughout the army to such a degree that the
removal of Gen. Burnside became an unavoidable
necessity. The office, which was conferred upon him
unsolicited and greatly to his surprise, and which he
accepted with the utmost reluctance, he requested the
President to relievo him of; and, much tO his satisfac-
tion, it was immediately done, and the command of the
344 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Army of the Potomac conferred upon Gen. Joseph
Hooker. At the same time, by order of the Secretary
of War, Gens. Sumner and Franklin were relieved of
their commands, and directed to report to the adjutant-
general at Washington. Matters had been very squally
at army headquarters for several weeks, and at one
time a special order was promulgated, dismissing nine
general and staff officers from the Army of the Poto-
mac, for the use of language having a tendency to de-
moralize the soldiers and injiu-e the service. President
Lincoln was unwilling to approve of such a wholesale
decapitation, and, after consulting with his advisers,
finally accepted the resignation of Gen. Burnside, re-
lieved Gens. Svimner and Franklin, and made Gen.
Hooker the principal commander.
Gen. Hooker was born in 1816, in Massachusetts,
went to West Point in 1833, distinguished himself
during the war with Mexico, and entered the service
again immediately after the fall of Sumter. His ap-
pointment was popular among the soldiers, who had
given him the sobriquet of " Fighting Joe Hooker,"
because in battle he was always to be found at the post
of danger. This title originated after one of the en-
gagements in which he participated, from its insertion
by a reporter at the head of one of his despatches. It
was never acceptable to the general, as it seemed to indi-
cate a man who was rash, pugnacious, vindictive, and
devoid of the caution and foresight indispensable to
good generalship.
The grand-division arrangement of the army was at
once abolished by Gen. Hooker, and the old corps or-
ganization restored in its place. Gens. Reynolds,
Couch, Sickles, Meade, Sedgwick, Siegel, and Slocum,
REFORMS INAUGURATED BY GEN. HOOKER. 345
were placed in command of the first, second, third,
fifth, sixth, eleventh, and twelfth corps respectively,
the cavalry consolidated into one corps under Gen.
Stoneman, and each corps was supplied with its own
independent artillery, no batteries being transferred
from one corps to another, except by authority of the
chief of artillery. The quartermaster's and commis-
sary departments of the army received special atten-
tion from Gen. Hooker, and such life was infused into
these branches of the service, through his persistent
I endeavors, that not a private in the army but was
better clothed, fed, and provided for, as the result.
He likewise imparted to the cavalry such spirit, unity,
and efficiency, as to make it one of the most formida-
ble arms of the service.
The winter months which followed the mud march
were unhealthy, and a considerable number of soldiers
sickened and died in the regimental, division, and
corps hospitals attached to the army.
Tuesday night, Feb. 3, Corporal John F. Getchell of
Company A, First Regiment, passed away, and was
buried the next mopning close by the hospital tent. He
was an excellent soldier, and possessed the confidence
of his officers, and the affi3ction of his comrades. He
was not only brave in battle, but had the moral cour-
age to refuse all indulgence in intoxicating liquor, and
to abstain from gambling and profanity. At the same
time he was unobtrusive and obliging, ready at all
times to assist a brother-soldier if it was within the
scope of his ability, and inflexibly firm in his own
determination to be governed by honor and principle.
Before daybreak on the morning of Thursday, Feb.
5, the members of the regiment were roused from their
346 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
slumbers by orders to pack up instantly, and proceed
in light marching order towards Hartwood Church.
It was snowing hard at the time, the ground was
frozen stiff, and the men were not a little concerned
to know what this sudden call in mid-winter might
portend. Tliey took a westerly direction, and con-
tinued marching all day, making about twelve miles
before dark. The storm not only continued, but in-
creased, until the ground was covered with snow to the
depth of several inches. The weather then moderated,
and it began to rain. In the midst of the rain the
troops bivouacked in the woods. The next morning
they proceeded four miles farther, and came to a halt
close by one of the fords of the Rappahannock. They
learned there that a strong cavalry force had gone
farther up, to destroy a bridge at Rappaliannock Sta-
tion, and they were located at the ford to prevent any
attempt by the enemy to cut off their retreat.
The expedition was completely successful. The
rebels had succeeded in constructing the bridge after
considerable trouble, and were just crossing a body of
cavalry, when a volley from the Union carbines emp-
tied several of their saddles, and arrested their progress,
and another compelled them to beat a precipitate re-
treat. After falling back, they re-formed, bringing
down a column of infantry for support, and re-attempted
to come across, but a second time received such a
destructive fire as to render it impossible, when again
they retired. Tlie Union cavalry then rode upon the
bridge, at which the rebels began to destroy the other
end. Seeing they could not get over, our cavalry
likewise aided in the work of its demolition, and it was
speedily on fire from end to end.
SURGEON RICHARD II SALTER. 347
No demonstration was attempted by the enemy at
either of the fords, and, after tlie accomplishment of
their work, the cavalry withdrew without molestation.
The infantry and light batteries followed them at sun-
rise, on the 7th, reaching their former camps at three
o'clock in the afternoon.
About the first of the month, the regiment was
called upon to part with Surgeon Richard H. Salter,
who had retained his post from its departure for the
seat of war until this time. Surgeon Salter, by his
urbane and gentlemanly manners, his kind treatment
of the men, his correct deportment, and his fair and
honorable dealing, had won the good opinion of the
soldiers, and was parted from with regret. His place was
filled, after considerable delay, by Surgeon Edward A.
Winston, who had been assistant surgeon of the Six-
teenth Massachusetts Regiment since its formation, and
was promoted upon the recommendation of the medical
directors of the third corps and the Army of the
Potomac. Surgeon Whiston remained in this position
through all the subsequent campaigns of the First
Regiment, and was finally mustered out with the other
officers, in May, 1864.
During this month, the First Regiment received an
honor from Gen. Hooker which was shared by only two
other Massachusetts regiments in the Army of the Poto-
mac. Determined to secure, if possible, a perfect con-
dition of arms, quarters, accoutrements, and uniforms
among his soldiers, he ordered a careful and thorough
inspection of every regiment by Lieut.-Col. Parks, a
member of his staff, who should take notes, and report
the result of his examinations at headquarters ; prom-
ising to increase the number of furloughed officers and
348 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
men in deserving regiments, and threatening to take
away the furlough privilege from such regiments as
proved worthy of censure on account of neglect. The
inspection was accordingly held, and proved very rigid
in every particular. Guns, clothing, tents, cook-houses,
stables, company-streets, hospitals, every thing entered
into the estimate. When the result was announced, of
over one hundred and fifty regiments in the army, it was
found that only eleven were deemed worthy of special
commendation, among which eleven, three were from
Massachusetts, viz., the First, Second, and Twentieth.
The weather during January and February was a
succession of snow and rain storms, interspersed with
mild and balmy days, which made locomotion next to
impossible, whether on foot, on horseback, or in wagons.
Corduroy roads were accordingly constructed from
corps to corps, extending from the sixth corps, on the
the extreme left, to the eleventh, on the extreme right ;
and branching from them to the various stations on
the Aquia-Creek Railroad, or to the landing on the
Potomac River. These roads required an enormous
amount of fatigue-duty, and consumed an immense
quantity of timber. Forest trees were cut down for
miles in every direction, and a vast stretch of wood-
land left with nothing but blackened stumps. Because
an effort was made to relieve the First of an unfair
amount of this exhausting labor, the regiment was
compelled to go oftcner and work harder than ever.
That was the way in which some persons exercised the
little brief authority with which they were intrusted,
and which they had sworn to employ without preju-
dice to the service.
Washington's birthday, Feb. 22, was celebrated in
JtEBEL CAVALRY DEFEATED. 349
camp by a national salute from all the batteries, unac-
companied by any military display, as the day was raw
and cold, and the snow a foot deep. It was very
significant that tlie Union guns should honor the name
and memory of Washington, so near the homestead of
his father, while the rebel artillery which commanded
that homestead did not fire a single round.
Wednesday, Feb. 25, Stuart's cavalry made a dash
across the Rappahannock, and attempted to reach
Potomac Creek, for the purpose of destroying the high
railroad bridge erected there, capturing supplies left
at the station for the hospital, and doing such other
mischief as might be possible. They found our cav-
alry on the alert, however, and a sanguinary conflict
ensued, which resulted in the rebels being defeated
and driven back with considerable loss in killed and
wounded, and fifty men taken prisoners. Our loss was
only forty killed and wounded. As this bridge was in-
valuable to Gen. Hooker, to secure it against further
assaults he ordered the erection of strong redoubts on
the contiguous hills, in which heavy guns were placed,
sweeping the approaches at all points of the compass.
On the 12th of March, a raid was made by the enemy
upon Fairfax Court House ; and with such celerity and
secrecy did they conduct their operations, tliat they
penetrated the town, took Brig.-Gen. Stoughton out of
his bed at midnight, surprised a detachment of his
brigade, captured men and horses, secured all the booty
the town contained, and decamped before the Union
guards fully realized the mischance which had befallen
them.
On the 17th of March, a desperate struggle took
place between our cavalry under Gen. Averill, and a
30
350 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
similar force of the enemy, near Kelly's Ford, on the
Rappahannock, during which the Union troopers, hav-
ing practised a long time at the sabre exercise, and
sharpened their weapons for this special occasion,
charged upon the rebels at full gallop, and cut down
nearly every man in their front line. The wounds
were so ghastly, and the blood flowed in such torrents,
that the enemy turned and fled in disorder to their
intrenchments. The conflict raged from seven in the
morning until four in the afternoon.
Our loss was less than fifty, while that of the enemy
was much greater, including eighty prisoners. Among
the mortally wounded was Adjutant Nathaniel Bow-
ditch, only son of Dr. Bowditch, of Boston, a young
man of great promise and rare personal endowments.
During the months of March and April, the occu-
pants of Fredericksburg displayed considerable activity
in repairing the ruin made by the bombardment of
the previous December. Streets were cleared of their
litter, shot-holes plugged, tottering chimneys pulled
down, walls mended, breaches filled up, and leaky roofs
made water-tight. Many of the inhabitants also re-
turned, and resumed their former mode of life as much
as possible.
On the night of April 4, in tlie midst of a driving
snow-storm, another member of the regiment died in
camp, namely, Corporal James M. Hulme, of Company
F. He was a quiet and reserved man, of thoughtful
spirit and earn esf nature, faithful in the discharge
of his duties, so much so as to hasten his death by ex-
posure to the weather during the completion of the
corduroy roads.
Assistant Surgeon Monroe having been commis-
PROMOTIONS. 351
sioned surgeon of the Fifteen tli Massachusetts Regi-
ment, stationed at Fahnouth in December of 1862,
Dr. Neil K. Gunn, of Boston, was sent on from Massa-
chusetts to be second assistant surgeon of the First
Regiment, and arrived in camp on the 21st of March.
At the same time Lieut. John McDonough was com-
missioned captain, Second Lieut. John S. Clark was
made first lieutenant. Commissary Sergeant Harrison
Hinckley was made second lieutenant, Lieut. Forrester
A. Pelby was made captain, Second Lieut. John S.
Willey was made first lieutenant, Sergeant Rufus M.
Megquire was made second lieutenant, Second Lieut.
George Myrick was made first lieutenant, and Ser-
geant Edward G. Tutien was made second lieutenant.
A -large number of promotions took place likewise
among the non-commissioned officers and privates, by
which many worthy men and excellent soldiers were
advanced one grade.
CHAPTER XIV.
BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE.
" The midnight brought the signal sound of strife;
The morn, the marshalling in arms; the day,
Battle's magnificently stern array !
■ The thunder-cloud closed o'er it, which, when rent,
The earth is covered thick with other clay,
Which her own clay shall cover; heaped and pent.
Eider and horse — friend, foe — in one red burial blent."
Byron.
GREAT reviews were held in the Army of the
Potomac in April, preliminary to an attack upon
Gen. Lee ; at one of which, on the 9th of April, Presi-
dent Lincoln and wife, Secretary Seward, several gen-
tlemen and ladies from Washington, and all the general
officers of the army were present. Great preparations
were made for it several days previously, by filling
ditches, removing stumps, draining quagmires, and
cutting down ridges liable to impede the movements of
the soldiers. The ground was measured and carefully
staked out, so that there might be as little friction as
possible, and nearly the whole of the large plain in the
rear of Falmouth appropriated for the occasion. An
immense number of infantry and artillery were present,
the cavalry having been reviewed previously, who pre-
sented a magnificent spectacle as they moved with
quick step by the President and Gen. Hooker, their
banners unfurled, and tlieir weapons glittering in the
CAPTURE OF FREDERTCKSBMRC. HEIGHTS, DI'RTNc; THE BATTLE
CAVALRY RECOKNOISSANCE. 353
sun ; and it seemed at the time that they must be equal
to any thing required of them.
As soon as possible after the reviews were concluded,
the advance upon the enemy began. On the 13th of
April, the cavalry corps of Gen. Stoneman proceeded
to Warrenton, Bealton, Rappahannock Bridge, and
Liberty, to reconnoitre the country, and ascertain if
possible the position and strength of the enemy's forces.
Meeting with no opposition except from small scouting
parties of partisan rangers, they proceeded to the fords
of the Rapidan River, and took possession of them.
It was Gen. Hooker's intention to follow with the main
body of his army as soon as possible, crossing below
the cavalry, and depending upon their vigilance and
efficiency to keep the vicinity of the fords clear of rebel
sharp-shooters and light batteries.
Very stormy weather ensued, however, which was
so violent and lasted so long as to prevent any move-
ment until the 27th of April.
The rebels held a line in the rear of Fredericksburg,
extending from Port Royal, on the Rappahannock,
below, to a point five or six miles from the city, above.
They were poorly supplied with provisions and cloth-
ing, and numbered only seventy thousand men. Gen.
Hooker's forces were divided into seven corps of in-
fantry, one of cavalry, and a reserve of artillery,
all well clothed and well supplied, numbering one
hundred and twenty thousand men. His plan was to
mass three of his corps upon the plains below Fred-
ericksburg, make a feint of attack, so as to draw the
enemy's attention in that direction, and then move rap-
idly to all the fords crossing the Rappahannock above,
gain the other side, and force the rebels to give him
30*
354 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
battle in the rear of their iutrenchments, or fall back
upon Richmond.
On Monday morning, April 27, the fifth, eleventh,
and twelfth corps broke camp, and took the roads
leading in the direction of Kelly's Ford. They ar-
rived Tuesday forenoon, crossed the river without
difficulty, in course of the next two days, marched
over the interval between the Rappahannock and the
Rapidan, gained the other side, and proceeded rapidly
down the river road towards Chancellorsville, at the
junction of the Orange Court House road with the
road to Culpepper, about five miles from United-States
Ford. Here the three corps were massed, on the night
of April 30, havng encountered only the pickets of the
enemy, who fled at their approach.
The second corps, under Gen. Couch, took position
at Banks' Ford, five miles above Fredericksburg, on
AVednesday, while the first, third, and sixth proceeded
down the river to a little above Port Royal. The First
Regiment received the order to move on Monday,
April 27. Each man was to have three days' cooked
rations in his haversack, five days' small supplies —
such as sugar, coffee, salt, and hard-bread — in his
knapsack, and sixty rounds of ammunition in his car-
tridge-box and pockets. The men were greatly trou-
bled at being loaded down so heavily ; and large
numbers threw away the bulk of their rations, during
the next three days, finding it- utterly impossible to
keep up with their comrades, and carry such a heavy
weight upon their persons. Tuesday afternoon, April
28, the whole division left camp and took the road
leading down the river to the point where Gen.
Franklin crossed during the preceding December.
REBEL INTRENCHMENTS CAPTURED. 355
It was six o'clock before the regiment started ; and,
owing to the darkness of the night and the crowded
condition of tlie roads, progress was so slow that it
took four hours to proceed three miles.
Early the next morning another start was made, to
a position where the division could act as a support to
a portion of the sixth corps, in crossing the river.
Before daybreak the pontoon boats, to the number
of twenty-three, were in the water, ready to receive
their occupants. A part of Gen. Russell's brigade was
detailed for this service, composed mainly of New-York
and Pennsylvania troops. Precisely at half-past four,
A.M., every boat left the bank, and made for the oppo-
site side. A thick mist hung over the river, which
obscured objects from view at a few yards' distance,
and favored the design of the intrepid voyagers. As
rapidly as they could force the clumsy vessels through
the water, they approached the rebel side, and were
soon lost to view. In a few minutes more a volley
was heard from the enemy's rifle-pits, showing that
Gen. Russell's men had effected a landing and gained
the bank. The boats, coming back empty, were im-
mediately filled again with reenforcements, upon
whose arrival a line was formed, bayonets fixed, and
a charge ordered upon the rebel intrenchments. They
were captured, after a feeble resistance, and one officer
taken prisoner. At the same time, from every church
steeple in Fredericksburg the bells began an angry
clamor, for the purpose of alarming the inhabitants,
and informing the rebels quartered in the vicinity
that the Union troops had effected the passage of the
Rappahannock, and again threatened their works in
front. Both sides of the river being now in our pos-
356 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
session, the pontoons were expeditiously laid, and our
troops began to cross over.
Simultaneously with the passage of Banks' Ford
by the second corps. Gen. Stoneman started with his
cavalry to gain the rear of Gen. Lee's army, destroy
his communications with Richmond, burn the bridges
on his lines of retreat, and demolish such munitions of
war as might fall into his hands. His force was sub-
divided into three columns, under Gens. Buford,
Averill, and himself, who performed their work expe-
ditiously and thoroughly, breaking up the James-River
canal, setting fire to three large trains of provisions in
the rear of Gen. Lee's position, blowing up culverts,
burning commissary's supplies, destroying bridges,
mills, vessels, and depots, driving the rebel pickets
before them, capturing and paroling over three hun-
dred men, and bringing in large numbers of fresh
horses, with a loss of only one lieutenant and thirty
men.
The First remained in the woods below Falmouth, in
column of regiments with the rest of the brigade, all
day on the 29th. Towards evening it became cloudy,
and the rain fell all night. The next day, at noon,
marching was resumed through the valleys and by-
ways, so as to be concealed from the enemy, and con-
tinued until after dark. The command then went into
bivouac, not far from United-States Ford, and remained
until nearly twelve o'clock the next day. The rest of
the division preceded them at seven o'clock, leaving
them as rear guard to a long train of wagons, loaded
with ammunition and supplies. These frequently got
mired on the way to United-States Ford, and required
constant assistance to get along.
GHA NCELL ORS VILLE. 357
The ford was crossed at one o'clock, and after a
short halt in an abandoned rebel camp, the regiment
joined the brigade within a short distance of the Chan-
cellorsville House, then occupied by Gen. Hooker as
his headquarters.
It was customary among the first families of Vir-
ginia, owning large tracts of arable land, to build spa-
cious homesteads on some eligible site near the centre
of their domains, surrounding them with the indispen-
sable negro huts, which invariably cluster together in
vicinity of " the great house." In course of time a
store, a blacksmith's shop, and a few other dwellings
would be added to the original structure, making a
settlement of fifty or a hundred persons. Such was
Chancellorsville. The Chancellors had constructed a
commodious habitation at the junction of several roads
crossing their estate, and named it after themselves.
Negro cabins and a few other houses had been erected
in the neighborhood, containing less than fifty inhabi-
tants ; and this was the famous locality about which
raged one of the most furious and sanguinary battles
of the war.
At noon, Friday, May 1, portions of the fifth and
twelfth corps were advanced beyond Chancellorsville,
in the direction of Fredericksburg. Before two o'clock
they came upon the enemy posted across the road, and
occupying a strong line of intrenchments stretching
into the woods a long distance on both sides. The
rebels opened a heavy fire upon the advancing column,
which continued nearly an hour, running from left
to right along the whole line. By order of Gen. Hook-
er the Union troops then fell back to their original
position. The enemy soon after followed, engaging
358 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Gen. Sykes's skirmishers in the woods, and, upon their
falling back in accordance with orders, emerging upon
the open plain, yelling, leaping, and shouting like
savages. They were received with a point-blank
discharge of live thousand muskets, which at once
arrested their progress and threw them into momen-
tary confusion. But those in the rear, who had not
felt the Union lead, were not to be kept back by the
broken advance ; so onward they pressed, unappalled
and resolute, until a second volley was sent whizzing
into their midst, before which they quailed and came
to a halt. Their numbers had been so thinned and
weakened that they began to be dismayed. They were
just upon the point of falling back, when they were re-
enforced ; and, under the lead of their officers, who
raved and stormed and shouted and exposed them-
selves, in utter disregard of life and limb, they again
came forward. Their advance exposed them to the
fire of our artillery, three batteries of which had been
posted upon a hill overlooking most of the fi.eld they
occupied. Aiming above the heads of the Union sol-
diers, our gunners planted shell and spherical case
directly in the midst of the enemy, opening huge gaps
wherever the missiles exploded, and tearing their lines
apart in various places with terrific violence. For nearly
half an hour both sides stood facing each other, load-
ing and firing at will, equally determined not to yield ;
the rebels using no artillery, but exposed to a fearful-
ly destructive fire from the Federal batteries. It then
became apparent that they would not remain in line,
in spite of every exertion their officers might make ;
and, the volleys from the Union front becoming more
rapid and deadly, they retreated hastily back into the
BIVOUAC ON THE BATTLE-FIELD. 359
woods, followed by the shouts of the victors, who were
less than a tenth portion of the army Gen. Hooker had
under his command.
Just as they were retiring, the Massachusetts First
was double-quicked up to the left, on the line of the
Banks'-Ford Road, in light marching order. Knap-
sacks had been unslung at the rear, in expectation of
an immediate engagement ; but, just as the right com-
pany reached the battle-field, the order was given, " By
division into line — march ! " followed by, " Close
column by division on first division ! " to which suc-
ceeded, " Prepare to stack arms ! " and, " Stack —
arms ! — Rest ! " The companies were then sent back,
one at a time, for their knapsacks; and the men pre-
pared to bivouac, for the night, behind their stacks.
They remained undisturbed till the next afternoon.
A movement had been observed in the woods by our
pickets, which indicated that the rebels were falling
back on Gordonsville, or intended to attack the Union
right. To ascertain their intentions a reconnoissance
was ordered, under Gen. Sickles, which developed the
fact that the whole of Stonewall Jackson's division
was massing upon the right of our army for an assault.
Before Jackson could get his troops together, however.
Gen. Birney charged them, cutting his column in two
while it was still moving along the road. Pursuing his
advantage, a flank movement, under Gen. Berry, was
made upon the rebel right, which met with complete
success. The rebel skirmishers were forced back two
miles behind the shelter of their intrenchments, and
fifty prisoners captured belonging to the Twenty-third
Georgia.
It was now supposed that Jackson would retire.
360 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
A division of Gen. Slocum's corps was accordingly ad-
vanced at four o'clock, which had a sharp conflict with
some of his regiments, but was handled so roughly
that it fell back in disorder. An aide from Slocum
dashed up to Gen. Hooker to ask for reenforcements.
The answer was that he must hold his own, but should
be supported on the right by Gen. Howard, and along
the centre by artillery. Geary's division was im-
mediately manoeuvred so as to gain the right of the
plank road, and the batteries swept back the columns
of the enemy on the left, thus preserving the centre
intact.
At the same time Gen. Howard 6rdered forward his
divisions to form a line upon Gen. Birney's flank.
One brigade succeeded, and reported accordingly. The
rest of the corps met the rebels in line of battle on the
way, and both sides opened a spirited fire of musketry.
The German regiments fought gallantly for a while ;
but, losing some of their ofiicers, who had been wound-
ed or killed, they shortly began to waver, and, upon
receiving a charge from the enemy, who advanced with
shouts of defiance and yells of derision, they fell back.
Gen. Howard at once perceived the danger, and boldly
threw himself into the breach. But, one man cannot
be at all places on a line of battle at once. His pres-
ence everywhere had an inspiriting influence, and tem-
porarily checked the rout. Such a movement once be-
gun is of all things on earth the hardest to arrest.
The shattered columns streamed back to the rear
like an irresistible torrent. One might as well have at-
tempted to stem a tornado. The fugitives were panic-
stricken and beside themselves ; would run away, must
run away, and did run away, as fast as possible. The
PANIC OF THE GERMAN REGIMENTS. 361
rebels were close upon their heels, keeping up a tre-
mendous fire of musketry ; screaming and hooting in
an unearthly manner, and crowding along in a dense
mass, as if determined to sweep every thing before
them. Upon an open area, containing less than one
hundred acres, were gathered batteries, battery-wagons,
ambulances, caissons, and cavalry teams, covering the
ground in one dense throng. In among these plunged
riderless and frightened cavalry horses, stampeding the
animals, and infecting some of the men with their own
terror ; jumbling and tumbling things together in in-
discriminate and lamentable confusion, and making
such a perfect bedlam that orders were heeded no
more than the wind.
'Gen. Sickles, who was on the spot with two divisions
of his corps, immediately sent for the other, and, form-
ing his men across the line of retreat pursued by the
panic-stricken Germans, told them they must retrieve
the day. At the same time he ordered Gen. Pleasanton
to extricate such of the batteries as he could use from
the small farm on the hill-top, open them upon the ene-
my, and support the cannoneers with his mounted men.
He had barely time to make his dispositions of in-
fantry and artillery, when the rebels came on. They
received a series of rapid and destructive volleys, ac-
companied with incessant discharges from the artillery,
which at once checked their advance, drowned their
shrill whooping and the roll of their musketry, and
laid hundreds of them bleeding on the ground.
Those who were behind, however, still pressed for-
ward, raising again, at intervals between the roar of
battle, their boyish, piping cries, and pressing forward
even within pistol-shot of our lines. They met there,
31
362 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
however, the veterans of the war ; men who had fought
with them at Centreville, Williamsburg, Glendale, and
Chantillj, and men who were not to be intimidated
by their shouts, their bullets, or their charges. They
formed in close ranks along the front, and came on
with the terrific volleys for which Jackson's men were
always famous, receiving our infantry fire without break-
ing, and closing up the dreadful gaps made by our
canister in their crowded battalions ; obstinately they
strove to continue their triumphant progress, no mat-
ter what the hazard or the cost. But they found it
impossible to advance furtlier, and every moment in-
creased the number and efficiency of our batteries,
which made frightful havoc in their close ranks. Dark-
ness had also approached, and the woods being full of
smoke, made them fire wildly ; and, as there was dan-
ger that they might now be attacked on both flanks,
they finally retired, having accomplished their object
only in part : one of our lines of battle was broken,
and our advance cliecked.
As it would not do to have our front continue dis-
connected until morning, a portion of Gen. Birney's
division made a night attack, with infantry and artil-
lery, upon the enemy before them, and forced them
back half a mile. This restored communication in all
directions, but compelled Gen. Hooker to contract his
front, and to act upon the defensive. The rest of the
night was spent in the construction of breast-works in
the woods, and rifle-pits and infantry-covers along the
roads and fields, which, before the next morning, pre-
sented a formidable appearance all round the position.
After Stonewall Jackson had broken through the
eleventh corps, and driven them back beyond the
DEATH OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 363
plauk road, he and liis officers supposed tliat they held
it undisputed. Soon after dark, accordingly, a team- ,
ster was sent with a couple of mules to get a caisson
which had broken down by the roadside. As he ap-
proached the works held by the First Regiment, he was
halted, and ordered to the rear. xV couple of officers,
also, or scouts, were captured in a similar manner, and
sent back. The enemy were mistaken in supposing
tliat they held this road, for it was still in our liands.
Acting on the supposition that tliey did hold it, how-
ever, Stonewall Jackson, with several members of his
staff, rode along about nine o'clock, in the bright
moonlight, to reconnoitre tlie locality. The soldiers
of the First Regiment saw the group of horsemen ap-
proaching,— not knowing that Stonewall Jackson was
one of them, of course, — and greeted them witli a vol-
ley as soon as they came within range. One of the
horsemen was Stonewall Jackson himself, and he being
severely wounded, the whole group turjied and fled.
If, as the rebels claimed, he had been fired upon by
one of his own regiments, why did his staff turn and
flee?
He was struck by three balls, wounding both arms ;
two of his staff were wounded, and two orderlies killed.
As he was being carried to the rear, one of his stretcher-
bearers was shot down, giving the wounded general a
severe fall and contusion, injuring his side, and com-
plicating the fracture of his arm, so that he sank under
his injnries, and died in less than a week. Jeff. Davis
having declared that the death of Stonewall Jackson
was a greater loss to the Southern cause than would
be a whole division of the rank and file, the credit of
inflicting such a serious blow should be allowed to
364 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
those to whom it is due ; and, had the First Regiment
accomplished no more in their three-years' service
than the single achievement here referred to, they
would not have enlisted, marched, and fought in vain.
During the night of Saturday, May 2, the rebels
made frequent attacks upon our lines, apparently try-
ing to find a weak spot where they could break
through ; but the skirmishers were constantly on the
alert, and drove them back on every occasion, with
loss.
Soon after daylight on the 3d, which was Sunday,
the rebels came on in overwhelmmg numbers against
the position held by Gens. Sickles and Slocum, bent ap-
parently upon its capture, be the cost what it might.
The conflict that ensued was terrible. More than forty
thousand combatants were engaged at once ; the rebels
approaching nearer and nearer to the Union works, in
utter disregard of the fire which hurled whole battal-
ions to the earth, until it became like advancing against a
solid wall of lead and iron to move another step ; then
they stood in the road and fields, or took to the trees,
and delivered their volleys by brigades and divisions all
at once. Without the slightest intermission or sus-
pension of sound, as though thousands of muskets
and rifles were discharged simultaneously, the roll of
small-arms echoed through the forest peal upon peal,
interspersed with deafening rounds from the batteries,
whose heavy guns were fired with marvellous rapidity,
and whose thundering detonations, mingled with the
crash of solid shot among the trees, the bursting of
shells, the spiteful patter of canister-balls against men,
horses, trees, branches, or any thing else that chanced
to be hit, rose in awful distinctness and volume far
THE FEDERAL LINE FORCED BACK. 365
above all the angry clamor of battle, and seemed to
shake the solid earth with their overwhelming concus-
sions.
It was amazing to observe how little the enemy
seemed to heed the slaughter caused among them, and
how irresistibly and furiously determhied they appeared
to force back our lines. They absolutely tumbled over
each other's bodies in their eagerness to get ahead;
fired kneeling and lying down ; and even climbed trees,
so as to pick off Union officers in the rear. Notwith-
standing all their efforts, they were kept at bay over
four hours, and would have been all day, but, unfor-
tunately, the Union ammunition gave out. The fire of
infantry and artillery gradually slackened, and finally
almost ceased. The rebels, in the beghining, could
not comprehend it. They saw our men fix bayonets,
and doubtless supposed, at first, that they were going
to charge upon them. But in a few moments they
were undeceived ; for the whole of the front centre be-
gan to fall back upon the second line of battle. They
quickly perceived how matters stood, and hastened to
improve the advantage.
Holding the same line of works with the First Regi-
ment was a body of men from Maryland. As the ene-
my advanced with bolder front than usual, these fell
back and took refuge near the second line of battle, in
the rear. Their position was immediately occupied
by the rebels, who poured an enfilading fire down the
division front, rendering the breastwork utterly unten-
able, and throwing another regiment into confusion
on the right, compelling the First to withdraw, or be
butchered or taken prisoners of war. They were or-
ordered to withdraw accordingly. The killed and
31*
366 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
wounded were left, of necessity, and about thirty cap-
tured, who were too late to fall back with their com-
rades. The rest went to the rear some five or six
hundred yards, and formed another line of battle
across the road leading to United-States Ford from
Chancellorsville. Immediately upon gaining this space,
the rebels planted their artillery upon it, and vigorously
shelled the several lines of battle in front which re-
mained unbroken, throwing the fiery projectiles into
the hospitals among wounded and dying men, some of
whom were their own troops. Perceiving that any
farther advance would be impossible, without a repeti-
tion of the process which had cost them so dearly earli-
er in the day, at twelve o'clock the infantry retired,
leaving only a strong line of skirmishers to hold the
ground they had gained.
During the cannonading of the morning, a solid
shot struck one of the columns of the Chancellorsville
House, against which Gen. Hooker was at the time
leaning, and prostrated him to the earth. He was
only stunned by the shock, however, and soon recov-
ered himself again. Shortly after, a shell entered the
dwelling, exploded, and set it on fire. Some females
had retired to the cellar for safety, who were compelled
to come out by this accident, and, in the midst of a ter-
rific cannonade, to fly to the rear. They were mem-
bers of the Chancellor family. The fire caused them
the loss of every thing except what they had on, in-
cluding house, furniture, library, dresses, jewels, plate,
paintings, and keepsakes. They were treated courte-
ously by our troops, carried across the river in an am-
bulance, and there regaled with a breakfast of hard-
bread, pork, and coffee, of which they partook with
OPERATIONS OF SEDGWICK'S CORPS. 367
avidity ; and finally were conveyed, by their own re-
quest, to the house of a friend in the neighborhood of
Falmouth.
The sixth corps, under Gen. Sedgwick, had been
left in front of Fredericksburg, with orders to charge
upon the heights after the enemy had become well
engaged at Chancellor sville ; and, if successful in car-
rying them, to come up in the rear of Lee from Fred-
ericksburg, and make an assault. Accordingly, at
four o'clock in the morning, Sunday, May 3, the head
of the corps began to move towards the rebel city.
Before entering the streets of the town, the Federal
batteries were brought up, and planted so as to com-
mand the hostile works ; sharp-shooters took positions
convenient for their operations ; and a vigorous fire of
rifled cannon opened the conflict. The rebels replied
at once, showing that they were in considerable force,
and determined not to be driven from their intrench-
ments if they could hold them. A few earthworks in
front and along the flanks of the main fortification
had been abandoned ; but for six hours of continuous
fighting, they held the crest of the hill, firing as rap-
idly as they dared to load their guns while in plain
sight of the Union riflemen. Between eleven and
twelve o'clock. Gen. Sedgwick determined to charge
the heights. Col. Burnham's light brigade was ac-
cordingly ordered forward, while another force, at the
right of the dreaded stone wall, cleared the way of
skirmishers and marksmen. Throwing aside their
knapsacks, and whatever else might impede rapidity of
motion, or ease in climbing, they took position directly
before that angle on the plain known as " the slaugh-
ter-pen," where the rebels could concentrate their most
368 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
galling and deadly fire. The Union artillery, at the
same time, opened with solid shot and shell, aiming
over their heads, and planting their heavy balls in the
enemy's first line of earthworks with admirable preci-
sion. To this fire the rebels made no reply, showing
that they knew what was coming, and were reserving
their ammunition for surer work at shorter range.
They had not long to wait ; for in twenty minutes from
the time the men began to form, they were moving
steadily forward, as it seemed, right into the jaws of
death. No sooner had they reached the open plain
than the rebel guns vomited forth rapid discharges of
canister and shell, smiting many a gallant fellow to
the earth, and covering the plain with fleecy masses of
smoke, which hid both the works and storming-par-
ty momentarily from observation, and caused thousands
of spectators in Falmouth, and on the hills around the
city, to hold their breath with suspense. In another
instant, the battle-shroud was lifted, and the light bri-
gade was seen steadily advancing, on the double-quick,
across the thousand feet or more separating them from
the stone wall. Knowing what a tempest of destruc-
tion the intrepid fellows were facing down there, it
made the eyes moisten involuntarily, and the body
thrill from head to foot, to hear their battle-cry rising
above the thunder of the conflict, and to see their line go
onward witli unbroken regularity, leaving here a man
or two, and there a dozen, killed or crippled and writh-
ing with pain, — onward still, never faltering, — and
the stone wall was reached ! Here the worst was by
no means over.; for its steep face, which afforded par-
tial protection, must be scaled, and the whole person
exposed upon the plain above, every inch of which
OPERATIONS OF SEDGWICICS CORPS. 369
was swept by a perfect tornado of missiles, coming
from the front and left wing of the rebel position.
But they were not to be driven back now. It was
hardly the work of a moment to climb the wall, and
form on the bluff. Then, with a cheer, they dashed
on to the rebel embankments, jumped upon the ram-
parts, poured through the embrasures, drove the reb-
el infantry pell-mell from the position, captured guns
and cannoneers where they stood, and, precisely as the
clocks of Fredericksburg tolled out the hour of twelve,
unfurled the banner of beauty and glory from the
stronghold which had so long defied the power of the
Union arms.
The guns captured were those of the famous Wash-
ington artillery, of New Orleans, which had played
such a prominent part in the Rebellion from the first
Bull Run until this assault. As our troops leaped
over the parapet, and plunged in among them, one of
their gunners cried out, —
'' Who are these men ? "
" We are Yankees ! " was the response, with an ex-
pletive.
"What do you think of our fighting now?" asked
one of the storming-party.
To this no reply was vouchsafed ; but the captain
of the artillery remarked, —
" You have captured the best battery in the Con-
federate service."
Immediately upon taking the first line of earth-
works, an advance in force was made upon those in
the rear, which were carried with but slight loss ; and
the regiments of Gen. Howe's division were scattered
over the hills in pursuit of the enemy.
370 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Here occurred the greatest mistake made during
the battle. Gen. Howe's division was not allowed to
remain in the works, but ordered to join the other di-
visions, which had gone on beyond the city to fall
upon Gen. Lee's rear. No sooner had they done so,
than, as might have been expected, the rebel fugitives,
who had scattered down the roads and through the
woods, rallied again, regained and re-occupied the
works for which we had just paid such a fearful price,
and began to mass their forces for an assault upon
Sedgwick's rear and left.
A few miles out of Fredericksburg, the head of the
sixth corps encountered a large body of the enemy,
under Gen. McLaws, strongly posted, who arrested
their progress, and kept them occupied from five
o'clock in the afternoon until nightfall. At night,
Gen. Lee threw out a strong force of skirmishers in
front of his position, opposite to Gen. Hooker, and fell
back to effect a junction with McLaws, and the next
morning crush Sedgwick, or drive him into the river.
Had Gen. Hooker penetrated this ruse, all would have
gone well. Gen. Lee ventured every thing during this
movement; but thereby gained his point, and remained
master of the field. On the morning of Monday, the
4th, Sedgwick had a strong force of the enemy in front
of him, another in the rear, and another on his left
flank. At four o'clock in the afternoon, they charged
upon his lines.
From batteries posted so as to sweep every direc-
tion, he poured a destructive fire into their closed
columns, checking and driving them back in confu-
sion beyond tlie range of his shot. Again and again
they re-formed, again and again advanced, closed in
J
RETREAT OF GEN. SEDGWICK'S CORPS. 371
mass, notwithstanding the havoc he made in their ranks,
until, finally, perceiving himself outnumbered and out-
flanked, and that the enemy were likely to be success-
ful in their efforts to cut off his only line of retreat to
the river, after five hours' desperate fighting, during
which he had lost nearly four thousand men, Gen.
Sedgwick retired, in good order, to Bank's Ford ;
crossed over to the other side, saving his artillery and
camp equipage ; and reported accordingly to Gen.
Hooker, who still remained inactive in the vicinity of
Chancellorsville.
Meanwhile, at daybreak Monday morning, the ene-
my opened a battery upon the supply-trains of Gen.
Hooker's army, parked on the opposite bank of the
river. The cannoneers had hardly fired half a dozen
rounds, before a portion of the twelfth corps was upon
them, and every gun was captured and brought off the
field. It was a battery of six-pound rifled iron guns,
very poorly equipped ; portions of the harness being
supplied with ropes, or in a tattered and dilapidated
condition, and both horses and men looked as though
they had suffered from short commons for some time.
During the whole of Monday, while Gen. Lee and the
bulk of his forces were away in pursuit of Sedgwick,
the rebels kept up a series of feints all along the Union
line, driving in our pickets, picking off our ofiicers,
and keeping our men in constant expectation of a vig-
orous assault. They also attacked various working-
parties in the trenches, and conveyed precisely the im-
pression they desired, — that they were still in force
before us, and might, at any moment, appear for another
fierce assault.
Gen. Berry, commanding the second division third
372 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
corps, had been killed by them on the previous xiay ;
and Gen. Whipple, of the third division, was subse-
quently mortally wounded, while leaning against a tree
in his own camp.
Monday night, their skirmishers and several pieces of
light artillery were unusually active, harassing and
exhausting the men exposed to their fire, and making
sleep next to impossible. At daylight, Tuesday, how-
ever, all was quiet again. They had accomplished
their object ; reunited their scattered divisions ; pre-
vented an attack in front while they were weakened
and exposed ; and, now that they felt secure again,
they gave themselves up to a few hours' repose.
About noon, Tuesday, the 5th, preparations were
made by Gen. Hooker to abandon his position, and fall
back across the river. Pioneers and extra details were
at once set to work, repairing the old roads, construct-
ing new ones, and felling trees in the rear to impede
pursuit. A furious thunder-storm, which broke forth
at four in the afternoon, was of material advantage to
these operations, as it covered the noise necessarily
made, and kept the enemy under whatever shelter
he could improvise for his protection. Early in the
evening, the hospitals were safely transferred ; and the
trains and artillery followed them. Before three
o'clock the next morning, all the guns, wagons, and
mule trains were across ; and the passage of the infan-
try began. It continued, without intermission, until
after daybreak, and was uninterrupted by any attempt
on the part of Gen. Lee to prevent it.
The dead were left mainly where they fell ; and
many of the wounded, who were too seriously injured
to be removed, fell into the enemy's hands.
CASUALTIES. 373
As the rain continued falling nearly all night, it
rendered the passage of the river unusually hazardous,
and reduced the roads to such a condition, that the
troops were splashed with mud from head to foot. In
this condition, they plodded wearily along to their old
camping-grounds, a fourth time foiled and disappointed
in their advance upon Richmond, but determined to
try it again, and to keep trying it, until rewarded with
success.
The Union loss in this battle w^as as follows : —
Officers killed, 154 ; enlisted men killed, 1,358 ;
officers wounded, 624 ; enlisted men wounded, 8,894 ;
prisoners, 6,000 ; total, 17,030.
The losses to the enemy, according to General Order
No. 49, issued from Gen. Hooker's headquarters May
6, were five thousand prisoners captured, fifteen colors
and seven pieces of artillery brought off the field, vast
amounts of stores destroyed, and eighteen thousand,
men placed hors cle combat.
Among the killed of the enemy were Gens. Paxton
and Stonewall Jackson, whose removal at this critical
period more than made up for the loss of the battle.
The following is a list of killed, wounded, and
missing of the First Regiment, copied from the official
report forwarded to the Adjutant-General of Massa-
chusetts, by Col. McLaughlin, a few days after the
battle : —
Company B : Killed, Private Charles F. Robbins.
Company D : Killed, Corporals George R. Baxter,
Stephen Badger.
Company E : Killed, Private Charles A. Brown.
Company F: Killed, Privates Joseph Mclntire, An-
drew Greardon, William F. JoUimore.
32
374 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Company H : Killed, Private Stephen G. Emerson.
Company I : Killed, Capt. Charles E. Hand ; Pri-
vate Samuel F. Wilder.
Company A : Wounded, Privates Fernando A. Mc-
Crillis, in the body ; William Bowes, in the side ;
Daniel G. Kelly, in the face; Patrick Reardon, in the
shoulder ; Charles Green, in the groin ; William J.
Chase, in the shoulder ; Michael Callaghan, in the
hand ; J. Martin Woodworth, in the face.
Company B : Wounded, Corporal Jacob F. Holmes,
in the arm; Privates David Lane, in the body; Lewis
G. Smith, in the knee.
Company C : Wounded, Corporal Eben B. Nichols,
in the hip ; Privates John H. Hoffman, in the hand ;
Charles H. Wood, in the shoulder.
Company D : Wounded, Lieut. James Dolierty, in
the hand ; Corporal Charles D. Jackman, in the head ;
Privates George H. Butler, in the hand ; John H.
Baldwin, in the face.
Company E : Wounded, Sergeant Hugh Cummings,
in the body ; Privates Edward Carey, in the hip ;
Edward Potter, in the shoulder.
Company F : AVounded, Sergeants William H. Jep-
son, in the right leg ; Robert B. Smith, in the shoulder ;
Charles F. Brown, in the shoulder ; Corporal Michael
Haley, in the arm and liand ; Privates Frederick A. S.
Lewis in the body ; Edward R. Chandler, in the wrist ;
John D. Thing, in the hip.
Company G : Wounded, Lieut. George Myrick, in
the jaw ; Sergeant Rawlins T. Atkins, in the leg ; Pri-
vates Thomas Kennedy, in the arm; James Fitzger-
ald, in the body ; Peter W. Marlow, in the body.
Company H : Wounded, Sergeant Thomas H. Bige-
CASUALTIES. 375
low, in the leg ; Corporal William J. Wright, in the
side ; Privates Nathaniel B. Emerson, in the hand ;
William W. Smith, in the body.
Company I : Wounded, Privates Charles E. Fille-
brown, in the face ; Augustine Towle, through both
thighs ; George E. Gordon, in the arm ; Elisha R.
Harrington, in the right leg.
Company K : Wounded, Sergeant George D. Robin-
son, in the hip ; Corporal William Evans, in the head ;
Privates Charles S. Learned, in the hand ; Thomas
Finsley, in the right lung ; Gorham S. Kendricks, in
the breast.
Company A : Missing, Private John C. Singer.
Company B : Missing, Sergeant Luke E. Jenkins,
Corporal William A. West, Private George Barry.
Company C : Missing, Corporal John H. G. Mun-
roe ; Privates William H. Estabrooks, Elijah Tuells.
Company D : Missing, Sergeant William Vincent.
Company E : Missing, Sergeant Hugh Cummings ;
Corporals Joseph C. Riley, John S. Larrabee ; Private
Robert Cantwell.
Company F : Missing, Corporal William H. Foss ;
Privates Albert A. Faunce, Ephraim H. Hall, William
Semple, Thomas McManus.
Company G : Missing, Capt. Henry Parkinson, Lieut.
Rufus M. Megquire ; Corporals Jolm J. Houghton,
Laban W. Turner, Charles S. Morton, Edwin L.
Thayer, Alva J. Wilson ; Privates John E. Carver,
Michael Desmond, George 0. Hubbard, Thomas Loth-
rop, Francis McDonald, Garritt Nagle, Wyman B.
Streeter, John Wiley, Thomas Wilkinson, William W.
Wilson.
376 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Company H : Missing, Sergeant Thomas H. Bigelow ;
Corporals Orville Bisbee, Patrick J. Donovan ; Privates
Calvin T. Fletcher, William Lynch.
Company I : Missing, Privates William Prescott,
John Doyle.
Company K : Missing, Private George Good.
Recapitulation : ten killed, forty-six wounded, forty-
two missing ; total, ninety-eight.
CHAPTER XV.
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
At last, at last, 0 Stars and Stripes 1
Touched in your birth by Freedom's flame,
Your purifying lightning wipes
Out from our history its shame.
Pure as its white the future see, —
Bright as its red is now the sky, —
Fixed as its stars the faith shall be,
That nerves our hands to do or die." — G. W. Curtis.
IMMEDIATELY after the 1)attle of Cbancellorsville,
there was considerable correspondence between
Gens. Hooker and Lee, owing to the fact that the
hospital supplies of the rebel medical department had
become exhausted, and our wounded men on the south
side of the Rappahannock were suffering for food, med-
icine, and the surgical appliances necessary for their
relief. An arrangement was entered into, bj which
ambulances were sent over on a pontoon-bridge laid
for the purpose, when the wounded were paroled, and,
to the number of twelve hundred, brought over tlie
river.
After a long and tedious march, the First Regiment
reached its old camphig-ground, near Falmouth, at five
o'clock on the afternoon of the 6th of May. The men
were drenched to the skin, bespattered all over with
mire ; and many of them, having lost tlieir knapsacks,
378 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
containing overcoats, blankets, and changes of apparel,
were in but a sorry plight. To add to their incon-
veniences, camp thieves had been at work upon their
houses during their absence, appropriating freely what-
ever they could use or sell ; so that hardly a place could
be made weather-tight for the night.
Tlic weather continued gloomy and cold for several
days, during which but very little exertion was put
forth, beyond the effort to be as comfortable as pos-
sible.
The army still continued to have a good degree of
confidence in Gen. Hooker, notwithstanding the failure
at Chancellorsville ; and the men were in no way dis-
heartened or demoralized. A large number of troops,
having served out the two years, or other period of
their enlistment, being discharged, rendered a vigor-
ous enforcement of the draft indispensable throughout
the North, to keep up the numbers and eflficiency of the
Union army.
Until the 19th of ^Fay, the regiment remained at
hill-side camp without unusual incident. The old
routine of guard-duty, drill, and picket, was resumed ;
friends came on from various parts of the country ; new
clothing,blankets, accoutrements, <tc., were distributed
wherever there was need ; convalescents returned from
the camp of distribution at Alexandria ; and every thing
connected with tlie troops was put into good working
order.
As a sanitary precaution, all the regiments in the
army abandoned tlieir old camping-grounds as soon as
it became warm and dry enough to do so with safety,
and sought eligil)le sites elsewhere. Tlie First moved
about half a mil(i lo tlio rear of its former location,
SICKNESS AND DEATH IN THE CAMP. 379
pitching tents upon the surface of an elevated plateau
immediately fronting the road from Falmouth to Po-
tomac Creek.
As the hot weather was approaching, and shade in-
dispensable, many bowers were erected in front of the
officers' quarters, and elsewhere, which gave to the
camp an extremely gay and picturesque aj)pearance.
A rural chapel was likewise constructed under the su-
pervision of Major Gardner Walker, where not only the
members of the First Regiment, but officers and men
from other commands, attended the regular nightly
prayer-meetings, as well as divine service on Sunday.
From the middle to the last of May, the heat of the
weather was very oppressive. There was scarcely any
breeze stirring ; and all day long the sun poured down
his most fervid rays, unbroken by a cloud. The natural
consequence was considerable sickness. The colonel
and both surgeons of tlie regiment were attacked, of
whom the former and one of the surgeons recovered,
but Neil K. Gunn, M.D., the assistant surgeon, after a
sickness of fifteen days, died at the Potomac-Creek
Hospital, having been in the service of the Government
only seventy-six days.
His remains were brought from the hospital to the
camp, together with those of Sergeant Thomas H.
Bigelow, of Company H, who had just died of wounds
received at Chancellorsville ; and funeral services were
held Wednesday afternoon, June 3, in presence of
nearly all the medical officers of the third corps, and
the members of the First Regiment ; the bodies being
buried, with military honors, in the graveyard of the
second division hospital.
While the hostile armies were confronting each
380 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. %
other, Oil the first week in June, Union scouts reported
rebel cavalry movements along the Rapidan ; and
some changes were observed in the enemy's camps
encircling Fredericksburg, which created the suspicion
that Gen. Lee was about to invade Maryland or Penn-
sylvania again.
Tlireats to this effect had been freely made through
the rebel press ; but military men had not supposed
that so sagacious a general as Lee would undertake
such a campaign under the circumstances, and at-
tributed these articles to the vaporings of certain hot-
headed partisans, who had gone rebellion-mad. Gen.
Lee, however, was evidently intent upon the accom-
plishment of something. He dared not venture to
attack the Union army at Falmouth ; neither could he
atford to waste the summer in inaction : so he pro-
jected the withdrawal of Gen. Hooker from his posi-
tion at Falmouth ; tlie relief of the Shenandoah Valley
from the Federal troops, who had occupied it for sev-
eral months ; and the transfer of hostilities to some
part of the country north of the Potomac, including
the deliverance of Virginia from the presence of her
enemies.
On the 3d of June, two divisions of the rebel army
moved north towards Culpepper Court House. They
were followed, on the 4tli and 5th, by the balance of
Gen. Lee's forces, excepting Gen. A. P. HilPs corps,
which was left to hold the intrenchments at Fredericks-
burg. The rebel cavalry, under Gen. Stuart, began to
gather at tlie same time in the vicinity of Beverly Ford,
on the Ilapj)ahaiinock, preliminary to an aggressive
movement in some direction.
On the 5th, Gen. Hooker ordered Gen. Howe's di-
RECONNOISSANCE. 381
vision of the sixth corps to cross the river below Fred-
ericksburg, and develop the enemy's strength in the
environs of the city. A formidable chain of rifle-pits
had been constructed to command the crossing, out of
which it was necessary to drive the occupants ; and
several batteries were brought down to the river-bank,
whose fire was so vigorous and well-directed, that col-
umns of dust were thrown up from the rebel parapets,
and such a tempest of projectiles sent over the edge
of the works, that not a man dared lift his head for
fear of instant death. In vain the officers shouted,
cursed, and pricked men with their swords, to make
them get up : they only hugged mother-earth the
closer. Under cover of the artillery, the pontoon-boats
were carried down the bank, and launched; and the
Twenty-sixth New- Jersey Regiment, ferrying themselves
over, mounted the bank, carried the works at the point
of the bayonet, and captured eighty prisoners. Our
loss was less than forty killed and wounded. A por-
tion of the division immediately began to cross, en-
countering no further opposition from the enemy ; and
by the middle of the next day were strongly intrenched
upon the southern bank of the river. Occasionally a
rifleman or an artillerist would send a ball from the
rebel lines in the vicinity of the city ; but no damage
was inflicted.
On Tuesday, the 9tli of June, while the rest of the
army was at rest, two brigades of cavalry under Gen.
Buford, with twelve light guns, and an infantry reserve
of two regiments, crossed the Rappahannock at Bev-
erly Ford to make a reconnoissance in the direction of
Culpepper. They found the enemy strongly posted
beyond the ford, in a semicircular patch of woodland
382 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT,
along tlic outer edge of which were a number of rifle-
pits, comnaanding tlie ascent from the river in all
directions.
Pickets guarded the fords ; and beyond them but
a short distance could be seen the smoke caused by
numerous camp-fires, denoting the presence of the
enemy in large numbers. It was only the work of a
moment to drive in the picket-line ; when, with a wild
shout, the horsemen charged upon the rifle-pits. Never
was combat more uneven. Though men and animals
in rapid motion afforded but uncertain targets for tlie
most skilful marksmen, neither the carbines nor pistols
of the cavalry could l)e made effective till the con-
tending parties came to close quarters. Ever since
the fight at Kelly's Ford, close quarters had been dis-
tasteful to the enemy ; so that, as soon as this intention
was observed, the rebel sharp-shooters began to leave
their pits, and scatter through the woods. They were
followed so closely, however, that the main body in the
rear was taken by surprise ; and, during the brisk en-
gagement which ensued, they had hardly recovered
their self-possession, before Gen. Pleasanton, having
accom[)lished what he had undertaken, wheeled his
command to the right and left, and galloped l)ack
across the river. During one of the charges made by
tlie sixth Pennsylvania cavalry, they broke through
the rebel line of battle, and reached their rear, riding
entirely round their right flank, and so returned to
their former places. In another charge, the Union
horsemen got so mixed up with the enemy, that the
rebel cannoneers, unable in the distance to tell them
apart, killed more of their own men by their cani^^ter
and spherical case than they did of ours.
GEN. LEE'S INTENTIONS DEVELOPED. 383
The Union forces lost three hundred and sixty killed,
wounded, and missing : the rebels a much larger num-
ber, including two hundred prisoners.
The best result of the reconnoissance was, that
papers were obtained conveying reliable information of
a movement against Washington, on the part of Gen.
Lee, combining the invasion of Pennsylvania, a blow at
loyal Maryland, and such other mischief as circum-
stances might enable him to accomplish. Preparations
were immediately made by the authorities at Washing-
ton, and by the governors of Pennsylvania and Mary-
land, to prevent the attainment of his object. One
hundred thousand militia were called out by the
President ; a large number of volunteers was gathered
together under Gen. Couch, at Harrisburg, Penn. ; the
Army of the Potomac was strengthened as much as
possible ; the cavalry corps entered upon a series of
manoeuvres, so skilfully conducted as finally to sunder
all communication between the infantry and cavalry
of the enemy ; and, finally, Gen. Hooker put the wliole
of his troops in rapid motion on the right of Gen.
Lee's columns, to act both on the defensive for the pur-
pose of covering Washington, and on the aggressive to
drive the enemy out of Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Thursday, June 11, the First Regiment broke camp
at twelve o'clock, and proceeded, with the rest of the
division, to Hartwood Church. They arrived at seven
o'clock, and bivouacked in the open field for the night.
The march was resumed the next morning, and con-
tinued until ten o'clock, p.m., to Beverly Ford. Nearly
thirty miles were traversed at a rapid pace, through
clouds of dust in some places so dense, that vision was
impossible beyond a few yards ; and a large number of
384 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
the men fell out by the wayside, utterly overcome by
heat and fatigue. Owing to the presence of the enemy,
Beverly Ford was held in force during the 13th and
14th ; and at the right, a little in advance of the bri-
gade, field-works were thrown up for artillery.
Assaults were made on the 12th, 13th, and 14th, by
Gens. Ewell, Early, and Johnson, upon Gen. Milroy's
defences at Whichester. The enemy were in over-
whelming force, while Gen. Milroy had less than seven
thousand men, with only three batteries and six siege-
guns.
The rebels were kept at bay, principally by the fire
of our artillery, nearly three days. Unable to advance
into ^ilaryland or Pennsylvania unless they took the
place, they determined upon its acquisition at all haz-
ards ; and on Sunday afternoon, the 14th instant,
their infantry charged impetuously upon the outer
works, regardless of wounds and death, sustaining se-
vere losses in front of the batteries, but advancing to
the very muzzles of the cannon, — leaping ditches,
mounting breastworks, and rushing at cannoneers and
supports, in such overwhelming force, as to prevail
against tliem by the sheer force of numbers.
Gen. Milroy endeavored to retreat with the residue
of his command, but was cut off on the road to Mar-
tinsijurg, and lost two regiments entire, tlirce full bat-
teries of field-pieces, every one of his siege-guns, two
hundred wagons, with liorses and mules, six thousand
muskets, and large quantities of commissaries', (quar-
termasters' and ordnance stores, including anununi-
tion of all kinds. This disaster cleared the way for
the invasion of Maryland.
On the night of Sunday, June 14, the First Regi-
SUFFERING AMONG THE TROOPS. B85
meiit was relieved, at Beverly Ford, ])y a squadron of
cavalry, and commenced moving in the direction oi'
Warrenton Junction. Tlie men were kept marching
all night, by a circuitous route, and arrived at their
destination at eight o'clock the next morning. After
a short halt, they proceeded in the direction of Bristow
Station, and finally bivouacked in vicinity of the Junc-
tion. The weather at this time was oppressively warm,
the roads as dry as ashes, and water scarce, which
combined to produce an unprecedented amount of suf-
fering among the troops. Tlie daily marches were un-
usually long, and made at an unusually rapid pace ; so
that the roads were lined with stragglers, — represent-
ing almost every regiment, — some of whom had been
sun-struck, and were completely broken down. To
add to the discomforts ordinarily experienced, the
woods and fields had been set on fire, intentionally or
otherwise, which filled the atmosphere with smoke and
cinders, compelling the soldiers to bivouac upon the
open plains.
June 16, Bull Run was reached and crossed ; the
next day Centreville was occupied, where the com-
mand halted a day ; and, on the 19th, Gum Spring, a
dilapidated village on the Leesburg Turnpike, was en-
tered.
Here the command remained six days, in a pleasant
grove by the roadside, acting as support to the pickets.
The whole country was infested with guerillas, who
lurked about in vicinity of the camps, and picked up
all the information they could make available. It l)e-
came necessary, ou account of their proximity, to keep
a closer watch than usual; and many residents in the
vicinity, including several females, were placed under
33
>{8(j THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
arrest and broiTght to headquarters, upon suspicion of
having covert dealings with the enemy.
A march followed, by the way of Edwards' Ferry,
to the mouth of the Monocacy River, which, for length,
severity, and discomfort, exceeded any thing the army
ever had been through before. The Potomac was
crossed at the ferry, on a bridge twelve hundred feet
in length, upheld by sixty-four pontoon-boats. It was
nearly five o'clock in the afternoon when the Mary-
land side of the Potomac was reached ; and a heavy
rain had set in, accompanied by a raw, cold wind.
The tow-path of the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal proved
to be the only available route to the Monocacy ; and,
as this was very narrow, progress was necessarily slow.
The rain, which fell in torrents, raised the canal so
that in seme places its waters poured over the em-
bankment into the Potomac River; and the flood led
many soldiers to mistake the path, and plunge head first
into the canal. There was no place to rest, with any
comfort ; and therefore the march was kept up, at a
(juick pace, until one o'clock, a.m. The consequence
was, tliat whole regiments fell out of line, and staid until
morning on the narrow strip of land between the river
and the canal ; wliile, of other regiments, not more
than one man in ten attempted to push through with
the head of the column. Three hundred and sixty
men belonging to the First left Gum Spring in the
nnjrning; but only forty laid down in the rain, seven-
teen hours after, on tlie banks of the Monocacy. The
rest had given out.
Meanwhile the cavalry, under Gen. Pleasanton, con-
tinued to liover aljout tlie flanks of the enemy, and
occasionally to have an encounter in vicinity of some
THE REBEL ARMY IX PEXXSYLVANIA. 387
gap or important thorouglifare of equal value to both
parties. At Aldie, ou the 18th, and at Upperville, on
the 21st, the enemy were found strongly posted, and,
after several hours' hard iiglithig, were driven in confu-
sion from the field. Some pieces of artillery were taken
from them, as well as numerous small-arms. A large
number Avere killed and wounded, including several
officers ; and nearly one hundred captured. They left
the field covered with their dead and dying, all of
whom fell into our hands.
On the 22d of June, Gen. Hooker's army held the
line of the. Potomac, from Leesburg up, and had pos-
session of all the gaps in the Bull-Run Mountains. The
enemy liad advanced into Pennsylvania, in separate col-
umns, studiously avoiding pillage and wanton destruc-
tion, but seizing the produce of the country whenever
it was necessary, for which rebel money was tendered
in payment ; or, if the owners preferred, they were given
quartermasters' vouchers. On the 28th, a demand
was made upon the inhabitants of York, Peun., then
held by the enemy, to pay over tlie sum of one hun-
dred thousand dollars in greenbacks, supply two hun-
dred barrels of flour, forty thousand pounds of fresh
beef, thirty thousand bushels of corn, and other things
in proportion. The demand was only complied with in
part, as it w^as utterly impossible for the people to
obtain the articles desired in such quantities.
By Saturday, the 2Tth, Gen. Hooker's forces lay in
the vicinity of Frederick, Md. ; and, holding all the
fords of the Potomac, and the various roads by whicli,
if defeated. Gen. Lee must fall back, put a chuck upon
his progress northward, wlien witliin only thirteen miles
of Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania.
388 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Greatly to the amazement of the Union army, Gen.
Hooker - was relieved of his command on the 2Tth, and
Major-Gen. George G. Meade, the commander of the
fifth army corps, was appointed to his pUicc. Tlic
change was totally unexpected ; and, as it was made
without the assignment of any reason by the autlioritics
at Waslnngton, created considerable disaffection among
the soldiers. Gen. Meade himself was uo less surprised
than the rest of the army ; and, at such a crisis, very
naturally shrank from the heavy responsibility so un-
expectedly thrust upon him. Nevertheless, he entered
at once upon the discharge of his numerous and impor-
tant duties ; moved the several corps in such a manner as
to cover Baltimore, keep between the enemy and Wash-
ington, and threaten the crossing of the Susquehanna
below Harrisburg, endangering Lee's line of retreat.
The latter general, undoubtedly, now saw the folly
of endeavonng to transform his army into a flying
column, or independent corps, having no visible and
I)ermanent base ; for he began to contract his lines,
and gather his forces together round a common centre.
Chambersburg, York, Carlisle, and several other in-
* Tlic reasons assigned for his resignation by Gen. Hookor himself, before
the Joint Committee on the Conduct of tlie War, at the second session of the
Thirty-eighth Congress, as obtained from him by the writer, are as follow*:
^''Firsf. An inadequate supply of troops to accomplish what was required,
Gen. Meade receiving thirty thousand more men subsequent to Gen. Hook-
er's retirement than the army contained on the 27th of June.
" Second. The necessity imposed upon him of covering Harper's Ferry and
Washington, in accordance with his original instructions; and, at the same
time, of meeting an enemy in front numerically superior to his own force.
'TZ/m/. A constant, though perhaps unintentional, interference on the
l)art of the authorities at Washington with his plans and movements, which
prevented him from acting with the freedom, promptitude, and boldness
requisite in the emergency, and subjected him to serious embarrassment,
besides hampering the operations of his corps commanders and cavalry."
GETTYSBURG. 389
considerable places, he abandoned, and concentrated
his troops at Gettysburg. Gen. Meade speedily di-
vined his eml)arrassment, and prepared to confront
him in battle. The neighborhood of Gettysl)urg af-
forded admirable advantages for the manceuvring of
troops, being itself on elevated ground, surrounded by
cultivated levels interspersed with farms and wood-
lands, and was well supplied with water from various
brooks and streams. All the great roads from Balti-
more, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Harrisl)urg, cl'c, con-
verged here, forming quite a thriving centre of life
and trade. The town had a theological seminary, two
colleges, several churches, six manufactories, a bank,
court-house, three hotels, and a population of twenty-
five hundred inhabitants.
Friday, June 26, the regiment started at ten, a.m.,
having waited some time for the stragglers to come up,
and moved toward the high lands formed by the Kitoc-
tan and South-Mountain ranges, near Point of Rocks,
in Maryland. The landscape in every direction was
of surpassing loveliness : houses, barns, and farms pre-
sented a better appearance, and the people seemed
more thrifty, intelligent, and accommodating, than
those we had generally met in Virginia.
After passing the niglit on an interval of land be-
tween the hills, beyond which, to the north and east,
stretched out vistas of beauty it was a perfect feast to
gaze upon, the march was resumed in the morning,
and continued first to Jefferson, a small village at the
base of the Kitoctan Mountains, and then to Burketts-
ville, on the road to Crampton's Gap, which led over
South Mountain. Most of the inhabitants of Burketts-
ville were found hearty supporters of the Union. The
33*
300 rilE FIRST MASSACnVSETTS REOniEXT.
next day, a rapid march was made throiigli Middle-
town, a thriving and enterprising place at the foot of
South Mountain and not far from Frederick City,
where the stars and stripes fluttered from nearly every
building in the principal street ; and at ten, p.m., a halt
was made three miles beyond.
At five o'clock on the following morning, marching
was resumed m the direction of Taneytown, where the
' column was greeted in a most friendly manner by
the people, and tarried all night. On the 30th, after
the companies had been mustered for pay, the march
was resumed in the direction of Emmetsburg. The
country seemed to be under good cultivation along
the road, and most of the people stanch supporters of
the Union. They waved handkerchiefs and flags as tlie
troops went by, and supplied the hungry with bread,
pies, milk, and poultry, for a reasonable compensa-
tion. One little girl in the neighl)orhood of Bridge-
port seemed, never weary of shouting in her shrill,
childlike way, " Three cheers for the Union ! " and
when one of the soldiers responded, " Three clieers
for you, little girl I " she answered quickly, ''Three
cheers for you. too, sir I "
The command arrived at Emmotsl)urg, a post village
on the Pennsylvania line, at two o'clock, Wednesday,
July 1. Here were St. Clary's College and St. Joseph's
Female Institute, both Roman-Catholic seminaries ; be-
sides which the place contained four or five churches,
over a hundred good-looking buildings, and twelve
hundred inhabitants. Considerable disloyalty had pre-
vailed among the people ; and their manners towards
the soldiers were stifTand frigid.
ITardlv had tbe men i>itched their shelter-tents on a
DEATH OF GKX. RE YX OLDS. 391
kiioll of ground beyond the town, when rapid and
heavy firing was heard to the front and riglit. It had
been expected all day, and was caused by the advance
of Gen. Reynolds's corps beyond the town of Gettys-
burg, against a division of Gen. Hill's rebel corps
posted across the road to Chaml)ersburg. An assault
by Gen. Buford's Union cavalry forced back the ene-
my's first line ; but the advance of the whole rebel
division compelled Buford to retire, to whose support
Gen. Reynolds hastily came forward, when he was
fiercely assaulted in the streets of the town itself. A
brisk engagement immediately ensued, spreading be-
yond the town to the right and left, and resulting in a
partial repulse for the Federal forces. Emboldened by
their success, the enemy pressed impetuously forward
upon the right and centre, exposing their right to
a flank attack, by which large numbers were taken
prisoners, and their advance instantly arrested. At
the same time, artillery was brought forward, and
served with such skill and precision, that they broke,
and retreated beyond the ridge, north-west of the town.
At this juncture. Gen. Reynolds incautiously rode
forward to reconnoitre, when his staff was greeted
with a shower of bullets ; and, during the confusion
which followed, a rifle-ball struck him in the neck,
severing the vertebra?, and causing instant death.
The eleventh corps now arrived ; and Gen. Howard
immediately disposed the divisions of both corps so as
to dispute the enemy's advance upon the town. The
rebel divisions of Rhodes, Early, and Pender, were like-
wise massed to the north and east of the town, pre-
paratory to an assault. Both parties desired to hold
Cemeterv Ridsre, which was the most important mill-
392 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
tary position in the vicinity. In numbers largely su-
perior, the enemy charged upon the town ; but his
forces were at once greeted with such a scathing fire
as caused them to fall back in rear of their artil-
lery. Again their lines were formed and reenforced,
and once more pushed forward. They were greet-
ed with a fire more deadly than before, and a second
time driven back. For a final etfort, the reserves
were now brought to tlie front, and a cliargc made
with their whole force. Lapping over both flanks of
the Union corps, their numerical superiority made this
endeavor successful. Gen. Howard gradually drew
off his men from the town, and concentrated them
upon Cemetery Ridge, in the rear ; while the enemy
pressed on, occupied the town, and swept in a semi-
circular line round to the north and east of the ridge.
No farther advance was attempted that afternoon, as
Gen. Lee was not aware how numerous were the
Union forces, and was not inclined to risk a general
engagement witliout accurate and reliable information
concerning the resources of his opponent. It had not
Ijcen his intention to venture a great battle so far from
his base ; but the condition of the country, rendering
his trains unsafe, and withdrawal next to impossible,
together with his great desire to defeat Gen. ^leadp,
and secure the invaluable results which would thence
ensue, led him to prepare for an assault the next day
along the whole line.
Meanwhile, the First Regiment rapidly approached the
scene of conflict. Larc^e numl)ei's of Dutch farmers were
})assed on the road, sitting with their families on the
fences fronting their estates, gaping at the trooi)s mov-
ing by ; and the able-bodied men among them received
Pn?:LIMIXAUY MOVKMEXTS. 393
any thing but complimentary salutations, as the weary
troops plodded along to defend the lives, rights, and
property of such creatures.
Approaching the neighborhood of Gettysburg after
dark, a mistake was made in the roads, which led the
division directly through the enemy's lines, and witliin
a few hundred feet of thirty pieces of their artillery.
The mistake was discovered by the capture of a
sergeant of a rebel battery at supper in one of the
houses, wlien the column faced about, and quietly re-
traced its steps. The right road was soon found ;
and, at two o'clock in the morning, the jaded soldiers
threw themselves upon the ground, under the shadow
of Round Top Hill. Most of the Federal soldiers had
by this time arrived in the vicinity of Gettysburg ; and
all of Gen. Lee's forces, amounting to ninety thousand
men, had been massed along Oak Ridge, and to tlie
north and east of the cemetery, which was the key to
the Union position.
During Thursday forenoon, the 2d instant, there was
very little firing, except from the skirmishers, who were
posted along the front of botli lines, from Round Top
on the extreme left, to Wolf Hill on the right. Infor-
mation was brought in by the cavalry at noon that the
rebels were massing in front of our centre and left for
an assault in force. Gen. Sickles immediately moved
his corps forward to an elevated plot of ground under
cover of Round Top, and deployed skirmishers along a
line of fences running nearly parallel with the Emmets-
burg road.
He had hardly finished the disposition of his troops,
when the enemy emerged from the woods in solid lines,
and began a rapid advance. Observing the change
394 THE FIIiST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
made ill tlic Union front hj Gen. Sickles' manoeuvre,
liowcver, tlicy obliqued a little to the left, and re-
sumed their advance. The skirmishers ^vere scat-
tered before them instantly ; but the line of battle stood
firm. Artillery and infantry were so posted, that every
shot would tell ; and the first fire made such fearful
havoc in their ranks, that they came to a halt. Closing
up the gaps, they again moved forward, firing volley
after volley as long as the regiments remained suffi-
ciently unbroken to retain their organization, and then
loading and firing each man for himself, wherever
he hapj)encd to be. Their advance was steadily re-
sisted for over an hour by the third corps, assisted
only by the batteries upon Round Top, and a few guns
on the left, when Gen. Sickles fell back to his first po-
sition along Cemetery Ridge ; having the fifth corps
upon his left, and the second on his right.
Longstreet's men evidently supposed they had gained
an advantage ; for they came on without hesitation up
the rocky and steep ascent separating them from the
Union lines, and were mowed down by hundreds ere
they seemed to realize that the ridge was not thus easily
to be wrested from its brave defenders. Recnforced by
a second line of battle, they stubbornly fought their way
to and along the base of Round Top, and made a diver-
sion towards the Taneytown road, as if to strike ui)on
our Iqft flank. They encountered Buford's cavalry
there, however ; and at the same time two divisions
from tlie twelftli corps came up, with the whole of the
second, and a i)ortion of the first, which at once took
l)art in the battle, spreading a rapid infantry fire
along tlie l)asc and brow of the ridge, until it reached
Gen. Meade's lieadquarters, and awakening tlie tliun
THE GREAT STRUGGLE. 395
ders of tlio batteries all along the summit, as soon as
the rebel battalions came within cannon-range.
Longstreet's troops were now strcngtlicned by Mc-
Laws' and Anderson's divisions, constituting his third
line of battle, who moved over the field, knowing they
were the forlorn hope, and must save the day, or it
was lost beyond all peradventure. They charged, and
fought as oiily men do and will when they know that
every thing depends upon their personal valor and
steadfastness. Up the rocks of Round Top, along the
fields near the peach-orchard, across the Emmctsburg
road, in front of Rogers' farm, they surged in solid
masses, only to be hurled back, mangled and bleedino-,
over the plain again. In some places, tliey approached
so near the batteries that the cannoneers could almost
touch them with their rammers before the doul)le-
shotted pieces swept scores of them into eternity.
Just at night occurred the most critical period of the
fight. Gen. Sickles had been severely wounded in the
leg. Gen. Hancock in the thigh, and Gen. Gib])ons in
the shoulder ; and the first and second corps, hard
pushed by the fierce assaults of the enemy in front,
began to waver and retire. On came the enemy with
ferocious eagerness ; but, just as they were ready to
exult over the symptoms of a victory, the sixth corps
pushed forward from the reserve, and poured in a
series of volleys so withering, that they staggered and
halted, and their half-uttered yells of triumph ended in
screams of pain and cries of rage, their whole organi-
zation seeming to melt away and disappear at once.
Some of then went one way and some another. Hun-
dreds threw down their muskets, and came into our
lines ; and hundreds went back, crawling and limping.
oOG THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
out of the reach of shot, swearing they woukl never
cliargc upon them again.
Plardly a. regiment in the third corps but had lost so
many of its number as to render its management al-
most impossible. In the First, Col. Baldwin and Adju-
tant Miidgc had been crippled, a large number of offi-
cers and men scattered about wounded and dead, and
the rest having been forced back, Capt. John McDon-
ough took the few remaining in his immediate vicinity,
and pursued tlic enemy as they retired, until their shat-
tered and discomfited ranks disappeared in the shad-
ows of the forest, whence, but three hours before, they
had emerged so full of confidence and hope.
As one of our wounded men was lying in a barn-
yard, whither he had limped to avoid the flying balls, a
column of retreating rebels came through, on their
way to the rear. One of them remarked, in his hear-
ing, that he was disgusted with tlie whole thing.
" Why not stop, and give yourselves up ? " asked the
wounded Federal.
" The Yankees would kill us."
"Pshaw! whoever told you tliat lied."
" What do you know about it ? "
" Why, I'm a Yankee, and know how the Yankees
treat their prisoners."
" Are you sure they would not hurt us at all ? "
" Sure ? of course I am, or I would not tell you so."
" Well, what shall we do ? "
" Leave your guns here, go out in front and shake a
white handkerchief, and they will stop firing to let
you come in."
" What do you say ? " was tlic incpiiry among the
rebels of each other; and, as a result, over two hun-
COOLXESS UNDER FIRE. 397
dred of them turned liack, and surrendered themselves
prisoners of war.
A remarkable instance of coolness under fire was
exhibited in the midst of the battle by Lieut. James
Doherty, who, observing tliat his company were a
little tremulous, ordered them to bring their guns to
the shoulder, and, while the rebel battle-front was all
aflame with deadly volleys, and a perfect tornado of
whizzing missiles was flying at, over, and among his
men, he put them througli the manual of arms as qui-
etly as he would in front of their quarters in camp.
Another manifestation of intrepidity worthy of
record was made by Corporal Nathaniel M. Allen,
of Company B, who, observing that the color-sergeant
had been shot down, and that the flag must fall into
the hands of the enemy, who were then rapidly advan-
cing, turned back, and under a shower of bullets lifted
the flag, and brought it off* unharmed.
No sooner had darkness settled down upon the earth
than firing ceased upon both sides, the enemy having
retired to the woods along Oak and Seminary Ridges,
the Union forces holding the same lines they had es-
tablished in the morning.
At daybreak on Friday, the 3d, Gen. Lee opened fire
upon Gen. Meade's position from at least one hundred
and fifty guns, and for over two hours kept up an inces-
sant cannonade. The twelfth corps, at the same time,
advanced upon EwelFs troops north of the cemetery, to
whose support several divisions of rebels hurried from
the west, beyond the Emmetsburg road, with whom
portions of the third and fifth corps became straight-
way engaged, and so continued until Union reonforce-
ments arrived, who opened an enfilading fire upon the
34
3'JS THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
eiieiny's columns, and drove them Ijack to the woods
ao-ain.
The struggle of the day was for Cemetery Hill.
Just before one o'clock, Gens. Hill and Longstreet
planted one hundred and fifteen guns so as to concen-
trate their fire upon this small plot. At one, the signal-
gun was discharged, and the cannonading commenced.
It was answered gun for gun by the Union batteries,
till the whole vicinity vibrated with the stunning peals.
Horses and men were shot down together by the dozen ;
fragments of g^favestones, bricks from tombs, portions
of iron and wooden fences around lots, clouds of dust,
and pieces of sod, mingled with fragments of shell, flew
through the air with tA-emendous velocity, and in less
than ten minutes, the cemetery enclosure was cleared of
every living thing. The rebel gunners could make no
reply to the Union batteries, which were crippling their
"pieces in rapid succession, having received orders to
concentrate all their fire upon Cemetery Hill. So, for
over two hours, they kept up this most terrific can-
nonade, one side to secure, the other to retain, the
burying-ground, into the very graves of whose dead
the sulphurous bolts of infuriated conflict penetrated.
After the cannonade came the ominous quiet which
portended a charge of infantry. It speedily followed
the bombardment. Pickett's, Anderson's, Heth's, and
Pettigrcw's divisions, swept down the hills to the west
and south of Gettysburg, and wheeled across the valley
towards Cemetery Ridge. A galling fire of canister
and shell greeted their arrival at the Emmetsburg
road, over wiiich they imshod, una])palled, entering
the open field in front of the infantry intrenchments.
Against these they undauntedly advanced, vainly hop-
TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER OF THE REBELS.
399
ing that their very desperation might command suc-
cess. They were allowed to approach almost within
pistol-shot, when ten thousand muskets sent their
death-dealing contents full into their faces. They re-
coiled a second, as the killed and wounded fell heav-
ily to the earth ; but did not falter. Onward tliey
pressed, until within only a few yards of the Union
rifle-pits, when hundreds were smitten to the earth,
and the pits abandoned to give the batteries in the
rear unobstructed range over the field. Mistaking
the abandonment of the pits for a retreat, they raised
a shout, and darted forward, when the contents of fully
forty pieces of artillery were discharged at point-blank
range, directly into their midst. The effect was terri-
ble. Men, guns, accoutrements, and every thing mov-
able were torn to shreds ; the earth was ploughed up,
and sent flying through the air in great clods ; the
dead and wounded were piled up in heaps ; and, m
the midst of masses of cannon-smoke, little knots of sol-
diers, standing where had been unbroken lines, wavered
and tottered, looked before, l)ehind, and on either side,
as if bewildered or demented, not knowing wliat to do
or whither to go. It was the turning-point of tlie day.
Gen. Pettigrew, who led the assault, was wounded ; and
before Gen. Pickett, who was next in command, could
get the rebel troops in hand. Union flankers were upon
their right, and nearly three thousand were cut off
and captured. The rest, covered by a fresh brigade
sent out to their relief, fell l)ack to the woods ; and the
day was ours.
Had the rebel batteries been supplied with am-
munition, no doul)t they would have prolonged the
conflict, at least for the sake of keeping up appear-
400 THE FIR^T MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
aiiccs, while tlicy sought safety in flight ; but, as they
had not powder enough to make it appear otherwise,
they were obliged to allow the Union troops to con-
clude that they had given up the struggle, and were
about to retire. Hence, while along their lines all
was silence and gloom, in ours all was merriment and
rejoicing. Bands played national airs in fortissimo
style ; men cheered at any thing and every thing in
the excess of their enthusiasm ; and unrestrained
hilarity ruled the hour.
Even the wounded and bleeding sufferers in the
hospitals seemed to forget their pain in the great joy
our triumph universally afforded. The writer remem-
bers two men in the third corps hospital, who said they
were glad of and gloried in their wounds, if they had
aided in the achievement of victory ; and several, who
could not speak, looked the assent and sympathy their
pale lips were unable to utter.
Saturday, the 4th of July, was occupied by both
armies in burying the dead, and taking care of the
wounded. The rebel sharp-shooters continued to hre
into our lines, and shot down several persons who were
relieving the wants of the enemy's wounded ; but be-
yond that they did not venture. Gen. Ewcll with-
drew his column from the hills to the south-east of Get-
tysburg, and from the streets of the town itself Li the
afternoon, Gen. Lee forwarded all his wounded, who
could bear removal, to Hagorstown, sending after them
liis wagon-trains and artillery ; and, soon after dark,
his whole army connncnced a retrograde movement
towards Waterloo Gap, in South Mountain.
His losses had Ijcen enormous. Besides the dead
l)uried by his own men, 4,")()0 of them were buried l)y
CASUALTIES AT GETTYSBURG. 401
Union soldiers. Many of his wounded were carried to
the rear, and sent to Richmond ; but nearly 27,000
fell into our hands. We captured, l)esides, 13,621 pris-
oners, tliree guns, forty-one standards, and 24,978
stand of small-arms.
The entire Federal loss was 2,834 killed, 13,790
wounded, and 6,643 missing.
The losses in the First Regiment were as follows : —
Company A : Killed, Corporal Henry Evans ; Pri-
vates George W. Parkes and John Pettis.
Company B : Killed, Private George D. Trim.
Company C : Killed, Sergeant Edward J. McGinnis ;
Privates Orrin Edwards, William Kilvinton, and Wil-
liam H. Latimer.
Company D : Killed, Private James M. Matthews.
Company E: Killed, First Lieut. Henry Hartley;
Color-Sergeant William Kelren.
Conipany F : Killed, Corporals William H. Apple-
ton and Jolm Quincy Burrill ; Private Andrew Moore.
Company G: Killed, Sergeant WiUiam H. Colson.
Company H : Killed, Private Lawrence H. Kelly.
Company K: Killed, Private Henry S. Washburn.
Wounded : Lieut.-Col. Clark B. Baldwin, slight, in
the arm ; Adjutant Charles E. Mudge, slight, in the
head ; Capt. George E. Henry, Company B, severe, in
the foot; Capt. Henry Parkinson, Company G, severe,
right breast ; Capt. Francis W. Carruth, Company H,
slight, in the head ; First Lieut. John S. Clark, Com-
pany K, slight, in the neck ; Lieut. William P. Drury,
Company A, contusion, body ; Lieut. Harrison Hinck-
ley, Company G, painful, shoulder and head ; Lieut.
William E. H^iyward, Company I, ball through the
arm.
34*
40:2 THE Fin.^T MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Company A : Wounded, Sergeant John T. Robin-
son, left leg, severe, subsequently died. Privates
George A. Bailey, left arm and leg, severe ; William
Mullen, slight, in the head ; James King, right shoul-
der, painful ; Frank H. Mcintosh, hip, serious ; Charles
Green, finger, trifling.
Company B : Wounded, Corporal George W. H.
Burbeck, loft side, severe. Privates George Goulding,
foot, severe, subsequently died ; Daniel Coughlin, left
arm and breast, painful ; Henry H. Brown, leg, seri-
ous ; Charles L. Hittenheime, right leg and breast,
dangerous ; James McNulty, right thigh, severe ; Da-
vid H. Eaton, left knee, dangerous, subsequently died ;
Joseph Smith, left shoulder and neck, severe ; Michael
Condon, foot, serious ; Jacob Kesland, hip, dangerous,
subsequently died ; Asa P. Lewis, right hand, trifling ;
Allen T. Hamblin, leg and body, severe.
Company C : Wounded, Orderly-Sergeant George
A. Tenney, left shoulder, severe ; Sergeant John A.
Duddy, left wrist, painful. Corporals Samuel W.
Wharf, through both thighs, dangerous ; Edward Do-
lierty, right shoulder, slight. Privates John Dwyer,
right thigh, serious ; Robert Flynn, left arm, severe ;
John Richards, body, trifling ; James Callahan, right
arm, not dangerous ; Patrick Haley, right shoulder,
painful ; John R. Miles, both thighs, dangerous ; Em-
erson Bigelow, thigh, trifling ; Joshua A. Bracket, left
thigh, not dangerous ; Charles H. Woods, body, sub-
sequently died.
Conq)any D : Wounded, Sergeant Edward Reidell,
right arm, not dangerous. Corporals Albert G. Packer,
arm and groin, painful ; Charles A. Lambert, breast,
serious; John E. Ilickcy, left log, trifling. Privates
CASUALTIES AT GETTYSBURG. 403
Horatio G. Littlcfiold, slight contusion ; Elbridgc E.
Currier, thigh, serious ; Edward W. Lydstoii, neck,
slight ; Aretes C. Chamberlain, hip, trifling.
Company E : Wounded, Orderly-Sergeant Frederick
Pierce, left hand, severe. Corporals Amasa G. Smith,
left shoulder, serious ; Francis Duffy, left ankle, tri-
fling. Privates Moses C. Emerson, left thigh, severe;
Samuel H. Cox, right shoulder, dangerous ; Friz
Hatchky, left shoulder, serious ; John Taylor, left leg,
slight ; Thomas Cumniings, right arm, trifling ; Rob-
ert Kenney, left arm, not dangerous ; William Gray,
left leg, slight ; Frederick S. Kettell, thigh, dangerous,
subsequently died.
Company F : Wounded, Sergeants Lewis H. Hall,
left side, trifling ; Charles F. Brown, right hand, se-
vere. Privates Alonzo Peasley, fore-finger shot off";
James E. Abbott, shot through the abdomen, danger-
ous.
Company G: Wounded, Sergeant George H. Tyler,
face, painful. Privates James E. Gribben, leg, slight ;
Dennis Foley, neck, trifling ; Henry G. Swain, arm
and breast, serious ; James Fitzgerald, head, slight ;
James Norton, head, insignificant.
Company H : Wounded, Sergeant Samuel B. Bas-
sett, face, serious. Privates Joseph W. Spooner, leg,
slight ; Benjamin Blanchard, finger, trifling ; John
W. Chessman, arm, serious ; Enoch C. Cornell, foot,
severe.
Company I : Wounded, Sergeant Charles F. Fergu-
son, left leg amputated, subsequently died ; AVilliam
W. Eaton, contusion. Privates Frank P. Rollins,
right leg, dangerous, subsequently died ; Charles E.
Fillebrown, face, severe ; Thomas Flynn, left thigh,
serious.
404 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Company K : Woiincled, Corporal George Everett,
thigh, severe, subsequently died. Privates William
H. Beal, breast, severe ; A. P. Mason, shoulder, pain-
ful ; Garrick Moore, shoulder and leg, serious ; Orange
S. Richardson, through both slioulders, dangerous ;
Charles A. Young, leg, not dangerous ; Michael Con-
nor, head, trifling.
Company A : Missing, George A. Evans, John Don-
ahue.
Company B : Missing, Orderly-Sergeant George
Murphy, Sergeant Henry B. Sellon, John Lightbody.
Company C : Missing, Michael Cunningham, James
Goodc, William H. Reynolds, John A. Neal.
Company D : Missing, John W. Matthews.
Company E : Missing, Corporal Albert A. Farnham.
Company F : Missing, Sergeant Jerome Carlton.
Company G : Missing, Daniel McKenzie, Joseph A.
Newcomb, Richard B. Smart.
Company H: Missing, Orderly-Sergeant Lionel D.
Pliillips, E. Bruce, George S. Sullivan.
Company I : Missing, Arthur B. Moulton.
Company K : Missing, Lewis G. Bird.
Reca])itulation : killed and subsequently died, twen-
ty-six ; wounded, seventy-seven ; missing, twenty ; to-
tal, one hundred and twenty-three.
ON TTIK LOOKOrr. AVAPPTNC. Iiy.TOTITS.
CHAPTER XVI.
BATTLE OF WAPPING HEIGHTS.
" They charge -with fire ami steel;
They thunder o'er the plain ;
The rebel legions reel ;
The ground is piled with slain.
The stricken foes divide,
Like Jordan's fearful tide
Smote by the hand of Heaven ;
And right and left
Their ranks are cleft,
As though by lightning riven." — Riciiakd Kikke.
GEN. LEE had no sooner reached Hagerstowii with
the bulk of his army tlian tlie advance of Gon.
Meade's forces was at Fiinkto wn, six miles to the south.
From thence to Williamsport and Falling Waters on
the Potomac, where the rebel general had left a pon-
toon-bridge under a strong guard, he was subjected to
perpetual annoyance and embarrassment. One brigaiie
of cavalry and another of infantry hung on his rear,
picking up stragglers, capturing guns, and destroying
wagon-trains. The entire Army of the Potomac was
on his left flank ; Harper's Ferry and Turner's Pass
in South Mountain were occupied in force by tlie Fed-
eral troops, cutting off escape in tliat direction ; and,
to crown his disasters, the pontoon-bridge he had
thrown across the Potomac was destroyed, and the
guard captured.
At about the same time, it began to rain ; and, tlie
river having been vcit high previously, it Ijccamc a
406 THE Fin ST MASSACHUSETTS BEuniEXT.
matter of doiil)t wliether Gen. Lee could get back into
A'irginia at all, if his reti'eat was vigorously followed
up.
Tuesday, July 6tli, orders came to the First Regiment
to pack up in readiness for a move. The wounded
were left in charge of Surgeon Wliiston, until they
could bear removal to some regular hospital ; and the
dead of both sides buried, with suitable inscriptions
on the rude head-boards designating their graves.
As soon as it began to be light, the march com-
menced and extended through Emmetsburg to Mcchan-
icsville, seventeen miles beyond. It had rained almost
without intermission since the 4tli ; and the country
was deluged wath water. The roads were little better
than ditches ; and many of the shallow brooks had
swollen into considerable streams.
Mechanicsville was a thriving village of some size,
and seemed to be occupied mainly by loyal people.
Although provisions had begun to be scarce through-
out tlie region, they supplied the troops, so far as they
were able, and manifested a gcn'erous interest in their
welfare. The defeat of Lee twice in succession had
given tlie Federal soldiers an importance, in popular
estimation, which was seen and felt wherever they
moved. The feeling was universal, that the rebols
liad made tlieir last invasion of Union soil, and that
tlieir power was on the wane. Hence many who had
been non-committal, while it remained uncertain which
side was going to conquer, at once declared for tlie
North, when there was no longer any doubt.
From Mechanicsville, the command moved, on the
Stii, through Lcwinsville, Kitoctan Furnaces, and Fred-
erick City, cheered along their route by the tidings
PURSUIT OF THE REBEL ARMY. 407
.that Yicksburg had surrendered, and all its defenders
and munitions of war fallen into our hands. They
encamped a few miles beyond the city, and the next
morning pursued their way to Middletown, Fox Gap,
in the Kitoctan Mountains, through the Gap, and down
the other side.
At this point the corps was largely recnforced by the
remnants of other brigades and fresh troops, mainly
heavy artillery and infantry reserves from the defences
of Washington, under command of Gen. Fi-ench.
The weather changed, July 10, from cold to liot, and
proved very trying to the troops. The roads were
in such a condition, that marcliing was extremely diffi-
cult; and the marches and fighting of previous days
had so drawn upon the vital resources of the men,
that they were very generally exhausted. In order to
come up with the enemy expeditiously, forced marches
were made, which caused the death of some, wlio were
sunstruck, and compelled large numbers to fall out
by the way. The battle-ground of Antietam Creek
was reached on the 10th ; and the troops surveyed with
melancholy interest the mounds and head-boards which
marked the various spots where the dead oT both sides
had been consigned to the dust the year Ijcfore. The
march was continued to Boonsboro', thence to Rox-
bury Mills, and thence a short distance to a wood near
Williamsport, where orders were received to be in
readiness for an assault upon the enemy. At that
time it was raining in torrents. Tlie Potomac was un-
usually high and swift, and thanks went up to Heaven
for the rain, almost as numerous as the drops that came
down. It was felt to be impossible for Gen. Lee to ferry
his forces across the river, and it was known that one of
408 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
his bridges there had been destroyed. All that seemed,
necessary was an assault, to compel his vanquished
and retreating army to surrender. Never were sol-
diers seen so eager for a battle, so impatient to be
allowed to engage the enemy. Being held where they
were from the 12th to the 15th, while the rebels were
so near they could see their pickets in the neighboring
woods and on the adjoining hills, some of our soldiers
actually wept, they were so desirous of the one grand,
final conflict which might end the whole war, and
release them from the privations and sufferings of
another campaign in Virginia.
Gen. Kilpatrick had received orders to be constantly
on the alert, and to charge tlie rebel line of battle early
Tuesday morning, the 14th. Receiving intimations
during the previous night that they were getting over
the river as fast as possible, partly by fording, and
partly on a rude bridge of trees and timber, he gathered
his command hastily together, and dashed off in the
direction of tlieir retreat. He came up with their rear-
guard at Williamsport, on the river, and at a point
just two miles from Falling Waters. It was the work
of a momefit to form his men, and advance to the
assault. The enemy were strongly posted along the
crest of a hill to the left, and in the midst of thick
woods on the right. Their men did not fight with any
vigor or enthusiasm ; but, being very numerous, their
fire told seriously upon riders and horses when the
cavalry endeavored to come to close quarters. The
Sixth Michigan, in face of an' artillery fire from guns
planted behind a breastwork of logs, stones, and earth,
rode gallantly up a steep hill, exposed to the volleys
of two lines of battle drawn up on top ; leaped the
ESCAPE OF THE REBEL ARMY. 409
parapet ; plunged in among the sharp-shooters and can-
noneers, sabring such as resisted, right and left ; and
rode back, with the loss of only thirty killed, wounded,
and missing. Other regiments from the second bri-
gade made similar charges ; but, as they had no in-
fantry supports to follow up the advantages gained by
the cavalry, the enemy were enabled to keep them at
bay over two hours, until most of their troops had ac-
complished the passage of the river ; when those who
were left broke, and fell back in confusion. They were
hotly pursued, and captured in squads, platoons, and
battalions, to the number of fifteen hundred ; hardly
any attempting to offer resistance. The Union loss
was twenty-nine killed, thirty-six wounded, and forty
missing. One hundred and twenty-five dead bodies of
the enemy were buried on the field, fifty wounded
were brought away, and fifteen hundred prisoners,
three battle-flags, and two guns captured. Among their
wounded was Gen. Pettigrew, of South Carolina, who
died soon after at Winchester, whither he was carried
for surgical aid. Thus the rebel army escaped from
the clutches of Gen. Meade, greatly to tlie mortifica-
tion and disappointment of his soldiers, who were thor-
oughly persuaded that it could have been conquered
entire, had they been permitted to make an assault
as soon as they arrived.
Sorrowfully, therefore, the next day, the column was
formed for a continuation of the march, now destined
to stretch into Virginia again. No enemy was found
at Williamsport or Falling Waters ; most of the rebel
army having made good their escape to the other side.
Some wagons were lost and horses drowned in the en-
deavor to get over by wading or s-wimming ; but the
35
410 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
bulk of Gen. Lee's transportation was safely conveyed
into the Old Dominion to do service against the Union
a little longer. Although there seemed to be no oc-
casion for any hurry, the troops were immediately
pushed on fifteen, eighteen, and twenty miles a day, to
their manifest detriment, morally as well as physi-
cally.
Sharpsburg was reached and passed on the 15th ;
and the men were very much interested in the old
church and other buildings which had been so riddled
and rent with shot during the great battle of Antietam.
The next two days were spent in Pleasant Yalley, a
charming section of Maryland ; having South Moun-
tain on one side, and a spur of the Kitoctan range on
the other. The land sloped so gradually, and spread
out into broad levels so accessible and finely situated,
that it was cultivated almost to the tops of the hills,
and presented on every side an enchanting scene of
verdure and beauty, combining woodland ' and field,
summit and vale, forest and farm, in harmonious suc-
cession aiid ever-changing variety of aspect.
July 17, very much against their will, the soldiers
were marched into Virginia again. They crossed a
pontoon-bridge at Sandy Hook to Harper's Ferry, and
from thence the wire suspension-bridge over the Shen-
andoah to the highlands beyond. No one could pass
through such a place as Harper's Ferry, without a
great degree of interest. In beauty of scenery, it sur-
passes every other town on the American continent ;
and ever since the country's discovery has been a
noted resort for artists and lovers of the beautiful,
from all lands. Situated on a narrow neck of land at
the confluence of the Shenandoah River with the Fo-
HARPER'S FERRY. 411
tomac, surrounded by towering heights rising perpen-
dicularly a thousand feet from the level of the river,
commanding a view down the valley of the Potomac
extending for miles, it has ever received the warmest
encomiums from travellers and tourists, native and
foreign.
The chief feature of interest about the place, at this
time, however, was the old engine-house, where John
Brown fought so desperately to further his scheme of
universal emancipation. It was close by the water,
on the principal street in the place, and, unless bat-
tered down by artillery, might make a formidable
strongliold for a few hundred resolute men, well sup-
plied with ammunition and provisions. The United-
States arsenal there was capable of storing ninety thou-
sand muskets, and the armory of turning out twenty-
five thousand a year. John Brown seized the arsenal
Sunday night, Oct. 16, 1859, assisted by twenty-one
other men, five of whom were negroes. They held it
until Tuesday morning, the 18th, against fifteen hun-
dred militia, one hundred marines, and two pieces of
artillery ; when, having lost ten whites and three ne-
groes killed, and four whites who had run away, the
doors were broken open ; and the remaining five, two
severely wounded, were taken prisoners. It was note-
worthy to observe how promptly James Buchanan sent
his marines and artillerists to the rescue of Harper's
Ferry, when slavery was assailed, and how tardily the
same President responded to the loyal call for succor
from beleagured Sumter, less than two years after-
wards, when slavery was the assailant.
As soon as they entered Virginia, the spirits of the
men drooped. Its soil was saturated with the blood.
412 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS EEGIMEXT.
and wliiteued with the bones, of their friends, comrades,
and brotliers. In every direction could be seen the
marks of ruin, desolation, and decay. The people were
rebels, almost without exception, and having lost nearly
every thing they possessed, through the ravages of war,
were saturnine and truculent in their intercourse with
the Union troops, but so poorly informed as to the real
issues at stake, and so disinclined to any eifort for the
acquisition of knowledge, that it seemed a waste of
time to endeavor to reason or parley with them. From
Hillsboro', in the neighborhood of Harper's Ferry,
where the regiment bivouacked on the 18th, and re-
mained until the next day, the column moved to Wood
Grove, in the vicinity of Snicker's Gap, the day follow-
ing, keeping close along the eastern base of the Blue-
Ridge Mountains, so as to be within easy marching-
distance of the gaps, should any portion of Gen. Lee's
army attempt to leave the valley of the Shenandoah,
and break through the Union lines.
On the 20th, Upperville was reached, on the main road
to Ashby's Gap. The Union and Rebel armies were
here divided only by the Blue-Ridge range of moun-
tains, along the eastern slope of which the troops of
Gen. Meade were passing, and along the western those
of Gen. Lee. Their only chance of meeting was in the
gaps, which were, from three to six and eight miles
long ; but hemmed in by such precipitous declivities
as to render military operations extremely difficult.
The rebels manifested no disposition to possess them-
selves of any gap but that through wliich ran the
^lanassas-Gap Railroad. Here, in close proximity to
Front Royal, a village of five hundred inhabitants,
pleasantly situated on Happy Creek, they threw out
MAXA.<>A>-GAP RIILROAL. 413
skirmishers, and established a line of battle across the
gap.
Having remained at Upperville most of the 20th.
and all of the 21st, where the regimental pay-rolls
were made out. and forwarded to Washington, and or-
ders received for three commissioned officers and six
enUsted men to proceed to the Massachusetts draft
rendezvous, in Boston Harbor, for the purpose of en-
rolling, supplying, and forwarding to the army such
drafted men or substitutes as might be obtained, the
line was formed again on the 22d, and the march con-
tinued to Piedmont, a romantic little hamlet on the
Manassas-Gap Railroad.
This railroad was part of a line projected for the
purpose of connecting Washington with Staunton, by
the way of Strasburg and Harrisonburg, in the valley
of the Shenandoah ; and, at this time, had been com-
pleted only as far as Mount Jackson, on Mill Creek.
It had been totally destroyed by Stonewall Jackson,
during his retreat in 1862, and was strewn with the
debris of half-burned sleepers ; rails bent by the action
of fire, and rolled or twisted together, along the em-
bankment ; car-wheels and metallic roofing : here and
there a partially destroyed bridge or culvert, or a di-
lapidated station-house, with all the windows broken
and the doors smashed in.
Along the carriage road bordering this wreck-strewn
embankment, the regiment moved on the 2od, until
they arrived at the entrance to the gap. The land
now began gradually to rise, sloping down from both
sides of the mountains, right and left, to the valley be-
tween, alonsr which wound the road to the other side
of the ridge. In some places, these mountains ^ where
35*
414 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIME XT.
the ascent was gradual and easy, had been cleared
of trees and bushes, and were covered with fields of
grass, clover, and grain. In others, thev were enclosed
with walls and fences for the pasturage of cattle and
sheep.
The soil was exceedingly rich, but the surface of the
ground was- covered with loose stones, some of large
size, above and around wliich the rank grass had
grown, making the movement of artillery, and the
manoeuvring of large bodies of men, matters of no
little difficulty. The common roads, likewise, having
been at the same time roads and beds for the moun-
tain brooks which ran, one to the east and the otlier .
to the west, through the gap, were rougher than any
thing the Army of the Potomac had ever before expe-
rienced in all its marches and travels. Movable
stones of all sizes and shapes, from the common col>
ble to blocks two or three feet high and as many
broad, lay directly in the track over which wagons
must proceed, and the artillery be driven. Army
horses and mules usually have a hard life ; but here
they were jerked and twitched about, and tripped up
so constantly, that not a heart Init pitied the poor
brutes. Knowing the nature of Manassas Gap, the
rebels had not ventured to bring their forces farther
than to the western entrance, and had spread theni
out over a series of eminences known as Wapping
Heights.
Cavalry scouts had reported this to Gen. Meade ; and
as it was possible for Gen. Lee to bring his army through
this gap to Warrenton, Centreville, and the vicinity of
Washington^ again, unless it was wrested from his
grasp and held in force, the whole army was halted,
• WAPPIXG HEIGHTS. 415
and the several corps drawn up in close proximity to
the eastern entrance. At the same time, tlic third
corps took the lead, and, on July 23, passed through
Springfield and Barhamsville, rural settlements within
•the precincts of the gap, towards Front Royal. Line
of battle was formed at ten o'clock, skirmisliers thrown
out immediately, artillery posted on an eminence com-
manding the road, and the advance begun. The enemy
were posted in a lunette-shaped line, covering the road
in front and on both sides, holding the crest of the
highest hill, with a battery at the rear and left. Their
skirmishers had improvised impregnable rifle-pits from
the loose stones abounding in the vicinity, behind
which they lay in perfect security, picking off any
Federal soldier who remained still lono; enou2;h to
constitute a mark ; while nothing gave evidence of their
existence in wood or field, but the little puffs of white
smoke that darted out of their rifle-barrels, and the
shrill ring of their conical bullets as they came over
into our battalions.
Upon being assailed in considerable force, they man-
ifested no disposition to retire ; and therefore it was
deemed advisable to summon up a couple of corps for
supports, and charge up the heights with the bayonet.
Orders were accordingly sent back for reenforcements ;
and, in the course of the afternoon, the second and
fifth corps advanced through the narrow pass, and
formed their lines from summit to summit across the
gap in rear of the front line of battle. As soon as
they were in position, tlie skirmishers were called in,
and the several brigades of the third corps drawn up,
by column of regiments, in front of the high ridge on
the left commanding tlie whole field, and the lower
416 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
eminences in front covering the road. The view from
any of the heights was exquisitely beautiful. Front
Royal was in the foreground, with the swelling ranges
of Massanuten, Great North, Little North, Branch,
and Shenandoah, rolling up against the horizon like*
mighty billows, and disappearing finally in the distant
west ; to the right and left were the abrupt spurs and
towering peaks of the Blue-Ridge chain, sharply
defined in the clear atmosphere of the region ; while to
the rear stretched out in tranquil loveliness the wide
expanse of plain and valley lying between Bull-Run
Mountains and the Blue Ridge, or Bull Run and the
Potomac.
Up the loftiest of the Wapping Heights slowly
toiled the soldiers of the first brigade. The enemy were
strongly posted behind a stone wall entirely hidden
from view, while of the first brigade every man was
plainly visible. As long as they dared remain and
fire, the rebels skulked under cover in their lurk-
ing-places ; but, as soon as they saw that the pant-
ing columns of the Union were intent upon the posses-
sion of their position at all hazards, they let fly a
parting volley, and beat a precipitate retreat over the
other side of the height. The elevation gained was
the key to the whole position ; and although the enemy
appeared in strong force on a hillock lower down, und'er
cover of their artillery, it was decided that they could
not hold it, and the second Excelsior brigade was
formed in the valley below, to dislodge them. At the
same time, their skirmishers on the right of the road
were forced back, cutting off their chances for an enfi-
ladhig fire upon the charging column as it advanced.
In the most regular manner and orderly array, the
FLIGHT OF THE REBELS. 417
men began their progress up the hill, concealed at first
from the enemy in front, and marching with a slow
step, owing to the rough and uneven character of the
ground. As soon as they came in sight of the hostile
line, a shower of bullets greeted their appearance ; and
the firing became rapid all along their front. With-
out the least confusion, and in a wonderfully short space
of time, the men spread out in column of brigade,
raised a shout, and started forward on the double-
quick. Several fell, killed or wounded, before they
were half-way to their destination ; but the rest kept on
with accelerated pace, rushed up to the stone walls and
rifle-pits of the enemy, shot down those of the occupants
who tried to get away, captured others who remained,
and put to flight the entire force opposed to them. Im-
mediate pursuit was made with cavalry, infantry, and
artillery, over the hills, through woods and fields, and
along the roads ; but the rebels did not attempt another
stand, having held the gap evidently for no other pur-
pose than that of observation.
The field remaining in Federal possession, a working-
party was sent out to bury the dead of both parties,
and bring in the wounded. The rebel loss was smaller
than ours, inasmuch as their men were shielded by
walls and rifle-pits. On both sides, it did not amount
to over twenty killed, and one hundred wounded, of
whom none belonged to the First Regiment.
The next morning a force of mounted men moved
forward upon Front Royal, beyond the gap. They met
a cavalry patrol of rebels near the town, whom they
drove through the streets, and pursued several miles
beyond. Failing to find any considerable portion of
Lee's army in the neighborhood, they were recalled.
418 THE FIBST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
and the several corps returned to the eastern slope of
the Bhie Ridge. The First remained upon the hill-top
wliich they had taken on the previous day, until the
afternoon of the 24th, when the settlement of Wap-
ping Heights was left in the rear, and the line of
march taken up' through the gap to the east.
The night of the 24th was spent at Markham, a
small hamlet about twenty miles from Warrenton.
During the 25th and 26th, the column moved forward
leisurely, and bivouacked, on the afternoon of the 26th,
beyond Warrenton, on the road to Culpepper Court
House.
Warrenton was the capital of Fauquier County, Ya.,
distant one hundred miles from Richmond, and fifty
from Washington. It had been a place of considerable
importance before the war, having a court house, town
hall, several stores, four churches, two hundred and
fifty or three hundred buildings, and quite two thou-
sand inhabitants. Several of the buildings were hand-
some residences of wealthy and influential Virginians,
constructed in modern style, surrounded with flower-
gardens, and presenting quite a home-like and attrac-
tive appearance. But it was a town almost without
inhabitants. Most of the negroes and many of the
white women remained ; but, of the white men who
were able-bodied, there were very few who had not
been in some way connected with the rebel army,
or identified with the rebel cause, and were not at
home. The town had been occupied and evacuated
several times in succession by the Union and Rebel
forces, so that the sight of soldiers was no new thing
to the people during the summer of 1863. The first
time Federal troops marclied through the streets, they
WARRENTON. 419
were subjected to various insults and annoyances from
the women, who were only shielded by their sex from
the punishment men would have received without de-
lay. That feeling had vanished now, however ; for the
troops were welcomed, or at least treated respectful-
ly. Business was at a stand-still. Stores, hotels, and
work-shops, were all closed, except a few small con-
cerns kept by Jews ; and, as rebel money had depre-
ciated so as to be comparatively valueless, the necessa-
ries of life were either sold at enormous rates, or it
was found impossible to obtain them at any price.
In the vicinity were grist mills, which supplied the
inhabitants with flour and meal ; and on tliese articles
they were compelled to subsist month after month,
praying and longing for the war to cease, that they
might once more obtain the comforts and conveniences
to which they had been accustomed.
CHAPTER XYII.
RIKER's island. new- YORK HARBOR.
' Hast thou chosen, 0 my people! on whose party thou shalt stand,
Ere the doom from its worn sandals shakes the dust against our land?
Though the cause of Evil prosper, yet 'tis Truth alone is strong;
And, albeit she wander outcast now, I see around her throng
Troops of beautiful, tall angels, to enshield her from all wrong.
We see dimly in the present what is small and what is great:
Slow of faith, how weak an arm may turn the iron helm of Fate !
But the soul is still oracular: and amid the market's din.
List the ominous stern whisper from the Delphic cave within, —
' They enslave their children's children who make compromise with sin! ' "
James Russell Lowell
ON the night of July 29, greatly to the surprise
of officers and men, the members of the First
Regiment were roused from their slumbers at half-past
twelve o'clock, with orders to prepare to take the cars
at Warrenton Junction for New York. At first, the
half-awakened soldiers thought the summons nothing
but a practical joke, gotten up to relieve the monotony
of camp-life and long marches. Seriously assured
that the orders were genuine, and might lead to hard
fighting in the streets of New- York City itself, where
they were to report for the presentation of order dur-
ing the draft, they proceeded with alacrity to put every
thing in readiness for a start.
The people of the North had not been united or en-
thusiastic as a whole in their support of the national
administration. Notwithstanding the jeopardy in which
COPPERHEADS. 421
the country was placed by rebels at the South, and the
urgent necessity of union and cooperation elsewhere
to prevent the nation's overthrow, there were large
numbers of men, mainly ousted and imbittered poli-
ticians of the proslavery Democratic stripe, with a
sprinkling of renegade Whig fossils, and a blustering
array of rum-guzzling roughs and low-bred foreigners,
who were always ready to hoot and groan at the Gov-
ernment, to denounce President Lincoln as a reckless
imbecile or a blood-thirsty despot, to rail at the Repub-
lican party as a body of frantic, semi-demented, thor-
oughly corrupt place-hunters, and to pity the patriotic
masses and gallant leaders of secession for their suf-
ferings and sacrifices in furthering the perpetuity of
negro bondage. These home-traitors united to form a
party not unlike the Tory faction of Revolutionary times,
to whom gradually came to be applied the name of
*' Copperheads ; " this being the name of a venomous,
sluggish, and repulsive reptile, called also " chunk-
head," and " deaf adder," — the most dreaded and
dangerous serpent, after the North-American rattle-
snake, in the country.
This party, ever on the watch to cry out against the
authorities at Washington, was terribly aggrieved by
the draft, and spared no pains or expense to foment
disaffection, and incite resistance to it in all the densely-
populated Northern cities. Among the consequences,
were the New-York and Boston riots.
On the morning of Saturday, July 11, the inhabi-
tants of the ninth precinct. New- York City, were greatly
excited by an anti-draft demonstration in the vicinity.
The day passed without an outbreak, although one
was expected. Not so Monday, the 13th. No sooner
36
4-2'2 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
had the provost-marshal's office been opened for drawing
names from the wheel, than a crowd began to gather
in front, on the sidewalks, and in the street, evidently
intent on mischief. The wheel had moved but a short
time, when the attack commenced. Stones, brickbats,
and missiles of various descriptions, were hurled at
windows and door ; a rush was made into the room ; the
draft- wheel seized, and broken to pieces ; the papers
scattered over the floor ; the officers forcibly ejected
from the premises ; and the building set on fire.
News of this high-handed proceeding spread like
wildfire throughout the city, and produced every-
where intense excitement. Crowds gathered on the
corners and in the back streets, composed mainly of
desperate characters from liquor-saloons, gambling-
hells, and bawdy-houses ; beardless striplings just enter-
ing a career of infamy ; and hardened reprobates
steeped in vice and crime, with here and there a woman,
from whom every thing womanly seemed to have ut-
terly departed. Fired witli copious draughts of liquor
extorted from venders found on every corner, or vol-
untarily contributed l^y them to save their stocks from
spoliation, these crowds wandered about without any
very apparent aim at first, except robbery. But lead-
ers were at hand, who soon gave direction to their brutal
energies, and pointed out the work it was desirable
for them to undertake. They followed, without requir-
ing particularly explicit instructions ; tearing up rail-
road tracks in the heart of the city ; sacking and
burning tlie houses of prominent abolitionists ; hunting
down and murdering negroes under the most revolting
circumstances; attacking, plundering, and setting fire
to the dwellings of the mayor and postmaster ; assail-
THE NEW- YORK RIOT. 423
iiig the " Tribune " printing-house ; fighting with the
police and military, who, after considerable delay
appeared in the streets ; and finally, crowning the
ignominy of their proceedings by destroying the Col-
ored Orphan Asylum, — in which some hundreds of
children were provided for by private charity, — and
treating these helpless and friendless young creatures
with shameful cruelty.
From the commencement of the riot, clothing, pro-
visions, liquor, money, and indeed plunder of all sorts,
seemed the great attractions to the mob.
On Monday evening, a large number gathered in
the vicinity of Brooks Brothers clothing establishment,
on the corner of Catharine and Cherry Streets, broke
into the store, and helped themselves to every thing
they could carry away.
Hearing what was going on, various bodies of profes-
sional thieves from other cities hurried to New- York as
soon as possible, to help gather the rich harvest that
seemed to be awaiting them. Away up in the ave-
nues close by Harlem, the German tailors lost every
tiling they had, and were glad to escape with their lives.
Men covered with rags and dirt would emerge from
their shops, carrying dozens of articles, such as they
never thought of wearing or using themselves, merely
to give away, or to dispose of for such prices as they
could get. Highway robberies were perpetrated in
broad daylight, and within a few squares of the police-
stations, by the dozen.
Near the corner of Thirty-fourth Street and Second
Avenue, Col. O'Brien, of the Eleventh New York, in
attempting to stay the progress of the riot, fired his
pistol into the crowd, and killed a woman. The act
424 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
cost him his life. Not only was he shot down, but furi-
ously set upon by the rum-maddened rioters, and, be-
fore he was dead, dragged along the sidewalk by a rope
around his neck. It was in vain for any one to inter-
cede for the colonel as a wounded man. Not even a
priest was allov^ed to see him before he died ; the piti-
less ruffians about suffering no one to come near, but
firing a pistol-ball into the colonel's body occasionally,
or hurling a paving-stone or brickbat upon him, as he
lay insensible, but still breathing.
The fiendish hatred of the mob towards colored peo-
ple broke out Monday evening against a negro cart-
man, who was seized, while near his own home, in
Carmine Street, and beaten Avith clubs and cudgels till
he was insensible. A rope was then put round his
neck, and he was hauled to the sidewalk fronting St.
John's Cemetery, Clarkson Street, where the rope was
thrown over a limb of one of the trees ; and, for no
other cause than that God had given him a dark skin,
he was brutally put to death.
As he was hanging in the air, a fire was kindled be-
neath him, and his murderers amused themselves by
holding burning wisps of straw, and bundles of rags,
so that they would ignite portions of his clothing.
Others discharged guns and pistols at the inanimate
remains, as they swung from the tree in the darkness
of the night.
Shortly afterwards, the Orplian x\.sylum for Colored
Children was set on fire, and reduced to ashes. The
premises were first invaded by a heterogeneous rabble of
women and children, who stole every thing it con-
tained, even to the night-dresses of the inoffensive occu-
pants. A flag of truce was for a short time elevated
DESTRUCTION OF THE ORPHAN ASYLUM. 425
on the sidewalk outside tlic building ; and the directors
of the establishment besought tlie crowd to abstain from
its demolition. But it was all in vain. Three separate
times it was set on fire, and the flames extinguished
by Chief-Engineer Decker, at the risk of his own life.
At last the many proved too powerful for the few : the
building was fired in so many parts, and the flames
gained such headway, that all attempts to save it were
abandoned. It is difficult to believe, but a well attest-
ed fact, that when the orphaned occupants were taken
from this institution, several creatures, looking like
men, gathered about the helpless children, shouting,
" Murder the monkeys ! " '' Wring the necks of
the Lincolnites ! " and had it not been for the
bravery of those who had them in -charge, some must
inevitably have perished.
In and about the " Tribune " office, the rioters were
severely handled. While carrying on their work of
robbery and destruction, they were charged upon by
the police, who had been drilled to act as a military
body. The policemen were all strong, heavy, and
powerful fellows, accustomed to make quick work
with rowdies ; and they swept rioters and everybody
else in the street before them with irresistible impet-
uosity.
In less than ten minutes, the thoroughfare, which had
been covered with human beings, was cleared of all
but the killed and wounded, and the "Tribune" pro-
perty saved.- Many a head was broken in that brief
melee, and many an exultant rioter laid out insensible
upon the cobble-stones..
The most bloody battle of the week took place
between First and Second Avenues, in the neighbor-
36*
4-2G THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS BEGIMENT.
hood of Twenty-ninth Street. The robbers had gath-
ered here in force, armed with guns and pistols, and
were plundering all the stores in tlie vicinity. The
first force of police and military sent against them
they had driven back, killing one of the sergeants, and
barbarously disfiguring his body. The next body, con-
sisting of seven hundred troops, were too numerous for
them, and drove every man in-doors, charging upon
the houses whence fire-arms were discharged, or mis-
siles thrown, until twenty or more of the rioters had
been killed or wounded, and thirty-five taken prison-
ers. This about ended the riots in New York.
In Boston, on Monday evening, the 13th, an attack
was made by the mob on the stores of two dealers in
fire-arms, gunpowder, <fec., in Dock Square, and con-
siderable spoil obtained ; but the prompt arrival of
the police and military prevented any further outbreak
in that vichiity. A large crowd assembled the next
evening, in front of the Cooper-street Armory, for the
ostensible purpose of getting at the light guns and
other weapons deposited there; but, just as they began
a savage assault, one of the guns heavily loaded with
canister was discharged through the door into the very
midst of the mob. Several were instantly killed, and
a number seriously wounded. The rest dispersed in ^n
instant ; and that ended the riot in Boston.
No doubt is now felt, that had Gen. Lee worsted the
Union army at Gettysburg, these riots in New York
and Boston might have enlisted so many in their sup-
port, and prevailed to such an extent, as to compel a
compromise with the rebels. But, Gen. Lee having
been defeated at Gettysburg and driven back into
Virginia, the riotously disposed had less heart for their
ARRIVAL AT GOVERXOWS ISLAND. 427
work ill all parts of the country, and were easily
brought to terms.
It was now President Lincoln's duty and determina-
tion to enforce the draft at all hazards. Several regi-
ments and batteries were accordingly ordered from the
Army of the Potomac to be stationed near the scenes
of the late disturbances, to enable local authorities to
secure the execution of the laws.
The First Regiment, being one of these, left War-
ren ton Junction about noon, July 30, and arrived at
Governor's Island, New- York Harbor, on the afternoon
of Sunday, Aug. 2, at four o'clock. At the same
time, other regiments were encamped upon the Battery,
City-Hall Square, Union Square, and in the forts com-
manding the harbor, to be at hand in numbers large
enough to put down any rising, should another be at-
tempted when the draft was resumed.
At Governor's Island, the regiment was rejoined by
Col. McLaughlin, who had been absent on sick-leave
since the 8th of June. Fourteen days were spent
upon this island, doing camp and garrison duty, the
men drilling a certain portion of every day with the
great guns of Fort Columbus ; when the regiment was
ordered to report to Brig. -Gen. N. J. Jackson, at that
time in command of the draft rendezvous on Riker's
Island, New- York Harbor.
There were no conscripts to guard on Governor's
Island. It is a charming spot of land between New York
and Brooklyn, was the headquarters of Col. Loomis,
garrisoned by several companies of regulars, the site
of two of the strongest forts on the coast, and could
boast the best band of music, and some of the choicest
society, in the neighborhood. It was left, therefore,
4-J8 rilE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
witli considerable regret; for Riker's Island, several
miles above, was a bleak, barren, repulsive-looking
place, and the duty of guarding conscripts presented
nothing either desirable or agreeable.
In due time, the interrupted drafting in New-York
City and the vicinity was resumed, without the slight-
est disturbance. Guards were stationed at all the draft-
ing-offices ; and the military was so disposed in and
around the city itself, that several thousand could be
concentrated within a few hours wherever they might
be needed. The consequence was the peaceful re-
sumption, continuance, and completion of tlie draft,
until the quota was full.
At Riker's Island, where the regiment remained
sixty days, the duties of the men were very arduous
and trying. Drafting secured some good men, who
gave no trouble in camp, served their country well in
the field, and returned home upright and honorable
citizens. But 'others were drawn, and large numbers
bought up by the substitute brokers, who were as cor-
rupt and unprincipled in their dealings with the Gov-
ernment as it was possible to be. This class of men
required constant watching. A boat ran from the
city up the East River to Riker's Island daily ; and,
just before it started, the conscripts and substitutes
were gathered together from the various offices and
depots in New York and Brooklyn, and marched down
to the boat under a strong escort. The soldiers of the
escort always had their guns loaded, and were under
orders to fire upon any drafted man, or substitute, who
stepped out of the ranks and refused to return. Not-
withsLanding the utmost vigilance, many escaped, disap-
pearhig in the most unaccountable manner under the
CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES. 429
very eyes of their guards. Oil board the boat, they
would slip overboard, or unexpectedly appear in a suit
of citizen's clothing, provided for the occasion, and
make off unchallenged. At the Island, every species
of ruse, trick, and deception, wfis adopted to escape
the vigilance of the sentinels ; and frequently large
sums of money were offered to tlie men on guard to
induce them to turn their backs at night, and allow
one or more to make off in the darkness. The con-
scripts and substitutes were kept in a camp by them-
selves, regularly laid out, and divided into streets, to
which they had given various peculiar and signihcant
names. Their friends were allowed to come and see
them by obtaining a pass from Gen. Canby, then in
command of the defences of New-York Harbor ; and
many of them injudiciously brought bottles of strong
drink with them, which caused, until the practice was
stopped, no little trouble to the officers and soldiers of
the guard.
An immense amount of gambling was carried on
among tlie drafted men, who usually liad large sums
of money about tliem ; and frequently robberies were
perpetrated among them to the extent of hundreds of
dollars from one individual. As discipline was indis-
pensable, the worst characters among them frequently
brought severe punishment upon themselves by their
utter defiance of all the rules and regulations of war.
They were confined in the guard-house, compelled to
police the camp under a guard, or had a ball and chain
attached to their ankles, which they wore until willing
to conform to the salutary regulations of the rendez-
vous. The subsistence furnished by the post-commis-
sary was substantial, nutritious, and abundant ; while
430 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
the quarters were simple A tents, of good quality, con-
taining ample accommodations for three men each.
There were a large number of commissioned and
non-commissioned officers attached to the rendezvous,
who had special chaf'ge of the conscripts and substi-
tutes, and accompanied the boats that carried them
weekly, in companies or battalions, to Alexandria, Va.,
where they were disembarked, and forwarded by rail
to Gen. Meade's army on the Rapidan. Some were
sent to other departments ; but the bulk were enrolled
among the Union troops in Virginia.
The presence of such a large body of men afforded
a rich field for missionary operations on the island,
which were carried on as largely as possible by the
agents of the Bible Society, the Tract Society, and the
Christian Commission. All the men who would take
them were supplied with Testaments and tracts previ-
ous to their departure for the seat of war ; some of
which, doubtless, were retained during subsequent cam-
paigns, and did great good to the readers. Weekly
religious newspapers were likewise distributed in large
numbers, and services held in the open air every Sun-
day, when the weather would permit.
Two days in the week were called " visiting-days ; "
and, on those occasions, the friends and acquaint-
ances of the soldiers came from the city in large
numbers, to spend a few hours in their society. An
intimation had been given, that the First Regiment,
being so near Massachusetts, would be allowed to go
home as a body, and pass a few days among friends ;
but the pressure of duties on Riker's Island was so
great, that this was found to be impossible, and very
many of the friends came to the island instead. Sev-
DISTINGUISHED VISITOBS. 431
era! officers and soldiers had their wives, motliers, and
other friends with them for some time ; and the ladies
became speedily inured to the hardships of camp-life,
and bore them quite as well as did the sterner sex.
Several distinguished gentlemen visited the place dur-
ing the month of September, among whom were Gens.
Sickles, Canby, and Dix ; Gov. John A. Andrew, of
Massachusetts ; and Mayor Frederick W. Lincoln, jun.,
of Boston.
The latter gentleman came, in company witli a dele-
gation from the Boston Board of Aldermen and City
Council, to present the regiment a handsome banner
of blue silk, which had been procured for the purpose.
It was artistically painted by Savory ; having on one
side the State coat-of-arms, with suitable inscrii)tions,
and on the other the seal of the city of Boston, around
which clustered the names of all the battles in which
the Massachusetts First had been distinguislied during
the war. His Honor Mayor Lincohi made a patriotic
speech of presentation, which was suitably responded
to by Col. McLaughlin in behalf of the regiment, after
which a dress-parade was held, and the principal
guests of the day, with the field, staff, and line officers
of the regiment, resorted to the dining-hall of Col.
McLaughlin's field and staff, and partook of a bounti-
ful collation.
Among those present on tliis occasion was Col.
Frank Howe, Superintendent of tlie New-England Sol-
diers' Relief Association, of New York, one of the most
useful and praiseworthy institutions of the day. At
the commodious rooms of the association, 197 Broad-
way, thousands of soldiers were received, cared for,
fed., clothed, nursed when sick or wo.unded, and prop-
432 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMEXT.
erly prepared for burial if they died. A large com-
mittee of New-York ladies served gratuitously iu the
several departments ; and the contributions of the
benevolent kept larder and clothes-press well tilled.
Divine services were provided on Sunday for such as
were unable to go out of the building ; preachers and
singers alike contributing their gifts for the common
good. In fact, the establishment was a genuine home
for any tired, sick, wounded, friendless, or penniless
soldier who happened to be in New York, where he
was sure of a welcome, of rest and shelter, of food for
the body and mind, of clothing such as he needed, and
of something hi his pocket when he started for home
on furlough, or for tlie army at his furlough's expira-
tion.
Notwithstanding the double duties required of the
regiment on Riker's Island, their numbers here were
considerably diminished, and their labors increased,
by tlie departure on the 19th of September of Compa-
nies A, B, and G, under command of Lieut.-Col. Bald-
win, to David's Island, at the entrance of Long-Island
Sound, to guard rebels who had been wounded in bat-
tle, and were brought there, prisoners of war, for med-
ical and surgical treatment. The buildings and other
accessories of this place were vastly superior to tliose
upon Biker's Island ; and it was with regret that Com-
pany A, being relieved on the 26th of September, and
Companies B and G on the 6th of October following,
left, by command of Gen. Canby, and reported for duty
at the latter place again.
At tlie completion of the New- York draft, all the
regiments and batteries detached from the Army of the
Potomac for special service in and around the city.
DEPARTURE FOR WASHINGTON. 433
were relieved from duty by Gen. Dix, and ordered to
report to Gen. Halleck, at Washington. Detacliments
of regulars were sent to occupy their places, where
troops were still needed ; and elsewhere camps were
broken up altogether, and matters restored to their for-
mer condition. Thursday afternoon, Oct. 15, the First
Regiment embarked on board the steamer " John Ro-
mer," for Jersey City, where a train of cars was in
waiting to convey them to Washington.
37
CHAPTER XVIII.
Kelly's ford, locust grove, and brandy station.
" Watchman, what of the night?
Are there signs in the east that augur tlie day?
Or still doth the blackness of darkness there lay?
We list to the trumpings that herald the storm,
To the roll of the drum, and the order to form. •
Form, form, infantry form !
Close up ! is the word ; and prepare for the charge !
Close up ! is the shout on the hill, by the marge;
Close up, where they fall ! and forward again
Where the lightnings shall flash, and descend the hot rain."
Anon.
THE main body of Gen. Lee's forces had been
encamped near Orange Court House during the
months of August and September, while the troops of
Gen. Meade held Culpepper Court House and vicinity.
Both parties had remained inactive until Gen. Hooker's
departure for the reenforcement of Gen. Rosecrans, in
Tennessee ; when Gen. Lee, having ascertained that he
had taken with him two corps from the Army of the
Potomac, began to manoeuvre his troops so as to gain
some advantage over Gen. Meade's diminished forces.
Keeping up a show of numbers in front of the Union
lines, several rebel divisions were put in motion with
a view of turning the Federal left. Penetrating this
design, before it could be carried into execution, Gen.
Meade evacuated Culpepper Court House on Saturday,
the 10th, and began to fall back upon Centreville. At
THE PKAD ?OLDIKR T\ LOCFPT OnOYE.
I
REBEL ADVAX' E-GVAED BEPULSED. 435
some points, the enemy had anticipated him ; but as
he moved by direct parallel roads bordering the rail-
road, while Gen. Lee's columns were forced to follow
circuitous and little -travelled pathways through the
woods, he thereby gained important advantages of
position daily, which enabled him to avoid the en-
gagement the rebels were trying to force upon him,
until he reached the intrenchments on Centre ville
Heights. Frequent skirmishes took place between the
cavahy of both parties, resulting in success first for
one side and then for the other.
On the 14th of October, the second corps, under
Geu. TTarren, constituting Gen. Meade's rear-guard,
was suddenly attacked by the rebel advance, under A.
P. Hill. It was an extremely premauire and ill-ad-
vised movement for the ivbel general, and resulted dis-
astrously to his men. Gen. Warren arranged his corps
to contest the rebel advance, so that a large body were
hidden behind a railroad embankment. Xo sooner had
the enemy reached this, thinking all clear on the other
side, than they were greeted with a well-directed fire,
which brought them to a stand. A fierce conflict
immediately ensued, lasting until night : when the
enemy were driven at all points, losing five guns, a
large number of killed and wounded, and four hundred
and fifty of their number made prisoners. Tlie Union
loss was fifty-one killed, and ihi-ee hundred and fifty-
nine wounded. Not caring to repeat such a costly ex-
periment. Gen. Hill fell l>ack, leaving the second corps
in possession of the field : and on the next morning
Gen. Warren quietly crossed Broad Run, and came up
with the bulk of Gen. Meade's forces, occupying a for-
ified position l>eyoud Bull Run.
436 rilE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Here the First Regiment found them, on the after-
noon of the ITtli of October, quietly encamped at
Union Mills and vicinity ; and upon reporting for or-
ders to Gen. French, then in command of the third
corps, it was straightway assigned to its former place
in the first brigade and second division.
It was impossible for Gen. Lee to part with any con-
siderable number of his troops, at this time, without
being seriously embarrassed during the winter ; there-
fore, upon learning of the disaster which had befallen
A. P. Hill's corps, he gave up his attempt to flank the
Union forces, and fell back to the line of the Rappa-
liannock. He was closely followed by the Union col-
umns, who, in turn, became pursuers.
The first brigade started, on the morning of Monday,
Oct. 19, for Broad Run, where it arrived at noon, and
went into bivouac. Considerable artillery firing had
been heard during the day, caused principally by ren-
counters" between our own and the enemy's cavalry.
From Oct. 20 to Nov. 7, gradual advances were made
upon the enemy's position, by the way of Greenwich,
Catlett's Station, Bealton, and Warrenton Junction,
until the old camping-ground between the Rapidan and
Rappahannock was again within our grasp.
Every day had its movements, conducted with great
caution, secrecy, and strategetic skill, to baffle the de-
signs of the enemy, and, at the same time, secure advan-
tages to the Union arms. Knowing the importance of
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad to any portion
of the army encamped in its vicinity, the rebels had
utterly destroyed it, as they fell back towards the Rap-
idan, burning bridges, blowing up culverts, demolishing
water-tanks and depots, tearing up the track, and ren-
I
PROMOTIONS. 437
dering rails useless by laying tliem across piles of
burning sleepers. This did not prevent the immediate
rebuilding of the road by Union soldiers, however, who
followed closely after, with sleepers cut from the neigh-
boring forests, and new rails brought up from Alexan-
dria. Guerillas sometimes interfered with the work-
ing parties, or made a dasli upon the stock-in-trade of
some unfortunate sutler, as it passed towards the front ;
but no other hinderances were encountered, and the
work of reconstruction went on almost as fast as the
work of demolition had been accomplished.
Soon after the death of Assistant Surgeon Gunn, Dr.
Isaiah L. Pickard was appointed in his stead, who
joined the regiment at Boonsboro', after the battle of
Gettysburg, and continued with it until the men were
mustered out of service, at the end of their three-years'
term of enlistment. He was then appointed surgeon
in one of the AYestcrn colored regiments, with which
he continued during the whole of Gen. Grant's siege of
Richmond and Petersburg, and finally went to Texas,
under Gen. Sheridan, and died there, of intermittent-
fever, on the 20th of July, 1865. Dr. Pickard was
much esteemed by the officers and men with whom he
was associated, and proved himself in every respect a
meritorious officer.
On the 31st of July, 1863, Assistant Surgeon T.
Fletcher Cakes, having been promoted surgeon of the
Fifty-sixth Massachusetts Veteran Regiment, took leave
of the First ; and Dr. John B. Garvie, of Boston, was
assigned to the vacant place. Dr. Garvie came to the
regiment at Riker's Island, remained about six weeks,
when he was taken sick, and, after an absence of
twenty days, compelled to resign his position.
37*
4:j8 niE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
First Lieut. John S. Clark was commissioned captain
on the 22d of September, 1863, and soon after placed
in Command of Company E.
Gen. Lee supposed himself so secure in tlic line he had
taken, in October, that, by the first week in November,
most of his troops had constructed comfortable log-huts,
and gone into them for winter-quarters. In Southern
fashion, they had " reckoned " that the Army of tlie
Potomac would not disturb them again before spring.
At Kelly's Ford, on the Rappahannock, the enemy had
built several redoubts, connected by a strong row of
rifle-pits, which were held in force by a detachment
stationed there for this purpose.
The third and sixth corps got possession of a hill
commanding these redoubts on the afternoon of Nov.
7 ; and, while the batteries were hotly engaged, several
regiments waded the river, stor;ned the breastworks,
in face of a furious fire from the sharp-shooters, and
captured nearly a thousand prisoners. Bridges were
constructed immediately, across which the two coi'ps
moved upon other portions of the enemy's intrench-
ments, seeming to take them everywhere by surprise,
and forcing them out of tlicir comfortable winter-quar-
ters into the woods south of the llapidan, witli a loss
of all their redoubts, four guns, eight battle-flags, over
one hundred killed and wounded, and nearly two
tliousand prisoners. The Union loss was three hun-
dred and seventy killed and wounded ; the disparity
being occasioned by the exposure of the storming-par-
ties, as they crossed the river and climbed the l)ank on
the opposite side, under fire from the enemy's field-
works and rifle-pits.
The capture of Kelly's Ford caused an immediate
ADVANCE OF THE FEDERAL ARMY. 439
abandonment by tlie enemy of all their works on tlie
Rappahannock, and the retreat of their troops to the
south side of the Rapidan. The Union army pushed
forward as they fell back ; and Gen. Meade established
his headquarters at Brandy Station on the morning of
Nov. 11, holding a line several miles in length, extend-
ing from Culpepper Court House on the right, to the
vicinity of Jacob's Mills on the left.
A plan was devised shortly after by Gen. Meade, of
crossing the Rapidan at several fords ; interposing a
strong force between the right and left wings of Gen.
Lee's army ; engaging them, if possible, separately; and
crushing one after the other. It was a promising
scheme, if well and promptly carried out.
The movement was to have commenced on the 20th
of November; but hard rains, which set in at that time,
delayed its execution for a few days, so that the troops
did not move until the 26th of the same month. Early
in the morning of that day, a start was made towards
the Rapidan ; and, notwithstanding the miry condition
of the roads, the river was reached a little after noon.
The Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Regiment was detailed
for skirmish duty, and crossed the river by wading ;
driving before them upon the opposite bank a few
mounted pickets who disputed their passage, and hold-
ing the top while the pontoniers proceeded to construct
a bridge for the rest of the corps. It was finished be-
fore dark, and immediately made use of. An advance
of two miles was made in the direction of the enemy
before their pickets were encountered ; when the corps
came to a halt, and went into bivouac for the night.
Friday morning, Nov. 27, the men were called up with-
out the sound of drum or bugle, and formed in line
440 THE FIPiST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
of battle, expecting the enemy. It was ascertained
shortly afterwards tliat the wrong road had been taken
on the previous day, owing to carelessness or negli-
gence on the part of some one, and every step must
be retraced. After this had been done, another road
was taken, and followed under the direction of a negro
guide, until the pickets of the enemy were reached.
Company D at once advanced through the w^oods, in
line, as skirmishers, under command of Capt. E. W.
Stone, jr., and succeeded in forcing back the rebel ad-
vance upon their first line of battle. The Union sol-
diers pushed forward after them, till they came in sight
of a road, along which the rebel baggage -wagons and
ambulances were being driven at a rapid rate, when
they met with a firm resistance from the enemy in
front, and came to a halt for orders.
As Gen. Meade wished to avoid a general engage-
ment at this point, while he carried on certain impor-
tant movements elsewhere, nothing but skirmishing
took place from noon until four o'clock in the after-
noon. The woods where the rebels lay concealed were
very thick, hiding them entirely from observation ; and
the only disposition they at first manifested was to
act wholly on tlie defensive. Having Ijeen reenforced
in course of the day, however, they became, in turn^
tlie assailants, and attempted to flank certain portions
of the corps by breaking in between unconnected regi-
ments or brigades. The manoeuvre had been foreseen,
and was provided against. Sections of artillery were
stationed in the roads and open spaces, which swept
in every direction the ground over which they must
advance. The First Regiment had by this time been
relieved from duty on the skirmisli-line by the Elev-
I
CASUALTIES. 441
enth New Jersey and Fifth Excelsior Regiments, and
was stationed in reserve as support for Battery K,
Fourth United-States Artillery, and a section of Clark's
New-Jersey Battery.
The rebels came on in their usual manner, with yells
and furious volleys, endeavoring to intimidate the
brave fellows who had been drawn up against them.
Finding this could not be done, they pressed down
upon OTir line in overwhelming numbers, gaining, just
before dark, a temporary advantage. Re enforcements
arrived for the Federal troops at this juncture; and tlic
advance of the enemy was checked. Just as the sun
was setting, volleys of musketry from both sides were
very rapid, interspersed with a considerable number of
shells from the artillery. Very little damage was,
however, inflicted upon either party, inasmucli as the
dense character of the forest, with the obscurity of ap-
proaching night prevented any one from taking aim.
Soon after dark, the firing ceased on both sides ; and
during the night the enemy fell back to a high ridge
beyond Mine Run.
The battle of the 27th had been fought almost
entirely by the third corps in a wood called Locust
Grove ; and, althougli we lost a large number killed
and wounded, several hundred prisoners were captured
from the enemy, and his lines forced back beyond the
plank-road leading to Orange Court House.
The losses in the First Regiment were as follows,
viz. : —
Killed : William C. Hull, Company C.
Wounded : Corporal William A. West, Company
B, arm and side ; George M. Glover, Company C, slight
flesh-wound ; Joseph A. Richardson, Company F,
442 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
trifling ; Eli Veazie, Company H, hand and arm, se-
vere ; Thomas O'Brien, Company I, head, not dan-
gerous ; Corporal William Evans, Company K, arm,
slight ; Robert Goode, Company K, insignificant ;
Thomas Parkinson, Company K, slight.
On the morning of the 28th, the march was re-
sumed, and continued in a drenching rain beyond a
place called Robinson's Tavern. The enemy had here
opposed a brief resistance, but were driven back with
loss by the second corps.
Connection was formed the next day with Gen.
Warren on the left, and under his direction prepara-
tions made to storm the enemy's intrenchments. Not
only his own corps, but several divisions from other
corps, had been placed at his disposal, which were to
•assault the rebel position in front ; while Gen. Meade,
with the remainder of the army, attacked them on the
flank. The assault was to be made at daylight on the
oOth. Few men slept much that niglit. Visions of
home and remembrances of Fredericksburg flitted
through the mind. The rebel position was remarka-
bly strong, and all its approaches were covered with
artillery ; so that the old soldiers knew it could not be
taken without a great sacrifice of life. All niglit long
fatigue-parties were at work, strengthening what was
already impregnable ; and they whom the intense cold
prevented from sleeping, heard their picks and shovels
ring against the stones and clods they struck in course
of their labors. The morning dawned raw and misty ;
and with the first streak of light our batteries began
to play upon the left -and centre of the enemy's works.
During the bombardment. Gen. Warren made a final
reconnoissance to ascertain the best place for an as-
RETROGRADE MOVEMENT. 443
sault, but was so impressed with the formidable na-
ture of the lines to be carried, tlie frightful cost of life
and limb their capture must occasion, and the uncer-
tainty of holding them, even providing they were taken,
that he humanely concluded not to risk the attempt.
For this he was severely censured in certain quarters ;
never by the soldiers who were on the ground. Tliey
were all ready to charge the works, had the order been
given, but were perfectly assured that hundreds, if not
tliousands, of lives must have been sacrificed, without
obtaining any advantage commensurate with so costly
an expenditure.
The rebels kept busily at work all day, strengthen-
ing their intrenchments, replying only now and then
to the artillery shots which were sent among them from
the Union batteries. At dark, our forces began gradu-
ally to fall back. A portion of Gen. Gregg's cavalry
had been surprised, on the previous day, in vicinity
of Parker's Store ; and the First Regiment was detached
from the brigade, and sent to his support. The com-
panies went into bivouac close by the road, remaining
undisturbed till morning, when they followed as rear-
guard of the division, to the Rapidan. The enemy
pursued slowly with cavalry, but did not reach the re-
treating columns until the troops had crossed the river,
and appeared drawn up ready for action on the other
side. The First crossed at Culpepper-Mine Ford on a
pontoon-bridge, and then proceeded down the left bank
of the river to a point opposite Ely's Ford, where the
cavalry of the enemy were seen drawn up along the
edge of the woods. These were prevented from cross-
ing by a few well-directed shells exploded above their
heads, which drove them back into the woods.
444 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
The troops were now entirely out of rations and
forage ; and great complaint w^as made against the
commissary department for inattention or neglect.
Some of the soldiers had not so much as one cracker
in their haversacks ; and most of the officers obtained
forage for their horses by forced levies upon the corn-
cribs of the neighborhood. By great exertions, one
day's subsistence was obtained ; and, early in the morn-
ing of Dec. 3, the march was resumed towards Brandy
Station. The old camping-ground was reached at three
in the afternoon ; and the men at once began in earn-
est to prepare for winter-quarters.
For several days in succession, the rebels crossed the
Rapidan at some of the fords, and made cavalry or
artillery assaults upon our lines ; but in every instance
they were driven back so promptly, that they soon
abandoned these excursions, and both armies gave
themselves up to observation and repose. The Union
camps resounded with the strokes of axes ; with the
sound of trowel and pick ; of spade, hammer, and saw.
Trees fell by thousands daily ; and substantial cabins,
well plastered with mud, and covered with shelter-
tents, appeared in regular lines hi all the camps. The
rations were greatly improved about this time, owing,
no doubt, to the result of a court-martial in Washing-
ton, which had sent a defrauding coffee-contractor to'
prison for five years.
In the month of December, an important raid was
made by Gen. Averill into the enemy's lines, wliich
resulted in the destruction of valuable supplies and
material, costing, in the aggregate, millions of dollars.
At Salem, on the IGtli, three depots were destroyed, con-
taining two thousand barrels of flour, ten thousand bush-
CAMP-LIFE AT BRANDY STATION. 445
els of wheat, one hundred thousand bushels of shelled
corn, fifty thousand bushels of oats, two tliousand bar-
rels of meat, several cords of leather, one thousand
sacks of salt, thirty-one boxes of clothing, twenty bales
of cotton, one hundred wagons, and a large quantity
of saddles, harnesses, shoes, equipments, tools, oil, and
tar. In other places, bridges, cars, lumber, and cul-
verts were destroyed, and the railroad track torn up
for miles. All this was accomplished with a loss of
only six men drowned, four wounded, and ninety miss-
ing. All the rebel cavalry, and several brigades of in-
fantry, formed across the roads in the rear of Gen.
Averill to intercept his return ; but he managed to
elude their vigilance, at the same time capturing from
them two hundred prisoners and one hundred and fifty
horses.
Camp-life at Brandy Station was similar to camp-
life everywhere else. Tlie winter was unusually dry
and very cold. Whenever it was possible, drills were
had in the open air ; and dress-parades closed every day
if the weather was not too inclement. Furloughs and
leaves of absence were granted on the same basis pre-
viously established by Gen. Hooker, of which many
of the officers and men availed themselves. Christ-
mas-boxes were brought to the soldiers in large num-
bers Dec. 25, owing to some new arrangement made
between the Provost-Marshal General and the Adams
Express Company ; and hundreds of soldiers were re-
galed that day on quantities of home viands forward-
ed for their consumption.
At this station, the Christian and Sanitary Commis-
sions did noble service for tlie Union army, saving
undoubtedly by their timely ministrations many a val-
38
446 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT,
liable life, and making the soldiers realize that the
whole country was interested in their welfare, and
willing to contribute liberally to promote it. What-
ever was needed in the way of reading-matter, delica-
cies for the sick, clothing, blankets, comforters, &c.,
could always be obtained of the Sanitary Commission,
upon a requisition from any surgeon in the army ; and
the Christian Commission, besides supplying these
things, together with many thousand copies of the
principal religious papers of the day, procured and
loaned large chapel-tents, capable of accommodating
two or three hundred persons, to such regiments and
brigades as wished them, sending delegates to preach
where there were no chaplains, by whom large num-
bers of believers were strengthened, encouraged, and
comforted, hundreds of sinners led to see the error of
their ways, the intemperate and profligate in part re-
claimed, profanity, dishonesty, gambling, demoraliza-
tion arretted, and the word of God put into every
soldier's hands that would receive it.
During January, 1865, a large number of troops,
amounting in some instances to whole companies and
regiments, having reenlisted for three years, or during
the war, were allowed the thirty-days' furlough prom-
ised to all such reenlistcd men by the authorities at
Washington ; and went home to enjoy it. In a majority
of cases, these soldiers received large bounties from
town, State, and national treasuries, with permission to
include what remained of their former term of service
in the new term.
During the winter. Col. McLaughlin was tried by
court-martial, on several frivolous charges brought
against him by the division commander, and triumph-
HON. JOHN MINOR BOTTS. 447
antly acquitted on them all ; the court declaring that
there had been no occasion for his arrest, and that it
was to be regretted that one officer sliould care so little
for the reputation and happiness of a brother-officer,
as to subject him to such a needless and annoying
experience.
Culpepper and Stevensburg, both within our lines
at this time, were frequently visited, and to the North-
erner presented a forlorn and dreary appearance. The
former had been a place of considerable importance,
containing five or six hundred inhabitants, most of
whom had turned out rabid secessionists, and left
the vicinity ; so that the old town gradually went to
decay, and presented a pitiable picture of general
prostration, neglect, and uncleanliness. Stevensburg
was only four miles distant, and had but half a dozen
bleak-looking houses, fenceless and forsaken, inhabited
mainly by contrabands.
Close by the camp of the First was the residence of
Hon. John Minor Botts. He was on good terms with
the Union soldiers, and frequently invited their officers
to his house. In tlie expression of his opinions, he was
fearless and outspoken, and from the beginning to the
end maintained that the Federal arms would prevail.
A movement was made on the afternoon of Satur-
day, Feb. 6, in support of a reconnoissance in force,
which called the entire division out towards the Rap-
idan. One night, and a considerable portion of the next
day, was spent in the vicinity of one of the fords ; but
none of the enemy's forces were encountered, and the
division returned. Most of the second corps crossed
the river a little lower down, not waiting for the pon-
toon train, but plunging into the ice-cold stream, and
448 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
wading across under fire. They lost nearly two hun-
dred killed, wounded, and prisoners, but drove the
enemy out of their rifle-pits, captured fifty men, and
remained on the south bank of the Rapidan until the
object of the reconnoissance was fully accomplished.
The camp at Brandy Station was close by the rail-
road depot, convenient of access, and quite a resort for
friends from abroad. Liberal provision was made
for amusements during the winter ; and several halls
and rows of hospital tents were fitted up for balls,
dances, and lectures or concerts.
On the 21st of February, a delegation from Boston
visited the regiment, composed of Hon. Frederick W.
Lincoln, jun., the mayor, Ex-Gov. Washburne, Alder-
man Otis Norcross, John P. Healy Esq., city solicitor,
and Messrs. Warren and Wells of the council. They
staid but one night, making that very pleasant, how-
ever, by their patriotic speeches to the soldiers.
On tlie 27th of February, a raid of great magnitude
was attempted upon the commvmications of the enemy
near Richmond. The sixth, and a portion of the third
corps, moved to Madison Court House and the heights
along Robertson's River ; while the cavalry under Gens.
Custar and Kilpatrick pushed round to the rear of the
rebel army, destroying bridges, stores, factories, and
military property, penetrating as far as the farm of J-.
A. Seddon, the rebel secretary of war, only a few miles
from Richmond itself. Here the ignorance or treach-
ery of a negro guide misled the detachment under
command of Col. Dahlgren, so that it was unable to
join Gen. Kilpatrick, as previously agreed, at Ashland,
to unite in an attack on Richmond, where, at that
time, there were very few troops ; and the grand object
GEN. ULYSSES S. GRANT. 449
of the raid was defeated. A large amount of property
was destroyed belonging to the enemy, the utmost con-
sternation created throughout the city, and important
captures made.
The Union loss was one hundred and fifty killed,
wounded, and prisoners, including tlie lamented Col.
Ulric Dahlgren.
On the 29th of February, an act of Congress was
passed reviving the grade of lieutenant-general ; and
President Lincoln iminediately sent the name of Gen.
Ulysses S. Grant to the Senate for confirmation in this
office. On the 3d of March, his appointment was con-
firmed, and he was made principal officer, or general-
in-chief of all the land forces in the United States.
He accepted the appointment, and immediately
transferred his headquarters from the west to the east,
choosing the Army of the Potomac as the particular
body of troops with which from that day his fortunes
were to be identified. On the 19th of March, he left
Nashville, and proceeded, without delay and without
parade, to Culpepper, where he began to make prepara-
tions for another advance upon Richmond. The Army
of the Potomac was immediately reorganized through-
out. The first and third corps were broken up, and their
divisions, brigades, and regiments distributed among
the second, fifth, and sixth corps ; these latter to be
three grand corps of the Army of the Potomac, com-
manded respectively by Gens. Hancock, Warren, and
Sedgwick. They consisted of thirty thousand men
each, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, under the general
command of some one field-officer like Gen. Meade or
Gen. Smith, who received orders from Gen. Grant in
person, with certain discretionary limitations ; and,
38*
450 rilE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS HEGIMEJSTT.
Other things being equal, the responsibility of failure
or success rested solely with the conqueror of Vicks-
burg.
The third corps having been broken up, the second
division became the fourth division of the second corps ;
the third division going into the sixth corps, and the
first becoming tlie third of the second corps. The
first brigade remained intact, parting with the Eleventh
Massachusetts and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania, and
receiving the whole of wliat had been called the
third, or Jersey, brigade, consisting of the Fifth, Sixth,
Seventh, and Eighth New-Jersey, and the One Hundred
and Fifteenth Pennsylvania Regiments. This gave us
as brigade commander, Gen. Motte, and sent Col. Blais-
dell into the second, or Excelsior brigade, commanded
by Col. Brewster of the first Excelsior. Gen. Prince
passed into the sixth corps, and Gen. French was
relieved, and sent to Philadelphia.
It seems hardly proper that so important an organ-
ization as that of tlie third corps should pass out of
existence without a reference to its heroic deeds, and
the mention, at least, of some among its brave and
accomplished officers. On the 20th of March, it had
twenty thousand infantry besides artillery. It was one
of the original corps (Tarmee organized before the
Peninsular campaign in March, 1862, and was then
composed of Heintzelman's, Porter's, and Hooker's
divisions. After Heintzelman was appointed com-
mander of the corps. Gen. Hamilton took command of
his division. At tliat time, there were the follow-
ing general officers in the third corps, — Hamilton,
Hooker, and Porter commanding first, second, and
third divisions respectively. In the first division,
THE THIRD CORPS. 451
Jameson and Birney commanded brigades ; and in the
second division were Sickles, Grover, and Patterson.
Morrell, Butterfield, and Martindale had brigades in
the third division.
During the siege of Yorktown,it became important
to make certain changes in the organization of the
corps ; and the third division was detached, and formed
the nucleus of the fifth corps, under Gen. F. J. Porter.
About the same time, Hamilton was relieved from com-
mand of the first division, and Gen. Kearney assigned
to the vacant position. There were now but two divi-
sions in the corps, and they could not be excelled in
the Army of the Potomac. Kearney and Hooker
were then the chieftains of the third corps. Heintzel-
man retained chief command during all these division
mutations. He fought his corps bravely and heroically
through the Peninsular campaign, until after the sec-
ond battle of Bull Run and Chantilly, when the indom-
itable Kearney was slain.
In September, 1862, these two divisions, that had
fought side by side through that terrible campaign on
the banks of the Chickahominy, were separated for
almost two months. About the middle of November,
Gen. Stoneman, as senior officer, assumed command ol
the corps, which position he retained until February,
1863, when he was placed in command of the cavalry.
The President at the same time appointed Gen. Daniel
E. Sickles as corps commander.
For commanders, the first division hadHeintzelman,
Hamilton, Kearney, Stoneman, and Birney; second
division. Hooker, Sickles, Berry, Humphreys, and
Prince. Jameson, Robinson, Graliam, and Collis had
commanded the first brigade of the division. The
452 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
second brigade had had such officers as Sedgwick, Bir-
ney, and Ward.
This corps educated generals, and gave to eminence
such names as the following : Major-Gens. Heintzel-
man, Hamilton, Sedgwick, Sickles, Stoneman, Birney,
Kearney, Hooker, Richardson, Berry, Howard, and
Whipple.
From May 5, 1862, till Nov. 27, 1863, the corps was
in twenty different engagements, including Seven
Pines, Williamsburg, The Orchards, Fair Oaks, Glen-
dale, White-oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Bull Run, Ma-
nassas, Bristow Station, Chantilly, Chancellorsville*,
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Kelly's Ford, and Locust
Grove. The history of the third corps should be con-
solidated among the annals of the war. The divisions,
brigades, and regiments of the corps were thenceforth
scattered among other commands ; but their gallant
achievements, from the time of organization, in March,
1862, till their consolidation with other corps, in March,
1864, will never be forgotten.
The transferred divisions preserved the same badges
and distinctive marks wliich they had worn previous to
the reorganization ; so that the fourth division of the
second corps was still known as Hooker's old division,
and the members still wore the white lozenge-, or dia-
mond, on their caps, which distinguished them from all
the other divisions hi the Army of the Potomac.
CAVALRY (^IIARGK NEAR SPOTTSYLVANTA COlRT-HOl SK
■ ^^'-y^^.
^"^^i^
CHAPTER XIX.
BATTLES OP THE WILDERNESS AND SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT
HOUSE.
" All day long the battle raged,
With clang of guns and bugles' breath,
In the tangled swamps of the Wilderness,
Through dusky thickets dim with death.
All day the fierce tide surged aud swung
With crash and shriek and cannon's tone,
While, far along the glimmering lines.
Proudly our golden eagles shone." — Anon.
" Now for the fight, now for the cannon-peal!
Forward ! through blood and toil and cloud and fire !
Glorious the shout, the shock, the crash of steel.
The volley's roll, the rocket's blasting spire:
They shake, like broken waves their squares retire —
In thunder on them wheel ! " — Korner.
DURING the moiitlis of March and April, as the
weather became pleasant, and the ground dry
and hard, various amusements were introduced among
the soldiers ; such as foot and base-ball playing, gym-
nastic exercises with the cross-bar and swing, leaping,
running, and quoits. The regimental chapel was like-
wise open every evening for prayer and conference
meetings, for singing and spelling schools, and for other
exercises designed to elevate the moral tone of the
regiment. These meetings were always well attended,
and sometimes crowded. Not only did a considerable
number become personally interested in religion, but
454 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
successful efforts were made, by the circulation of
pledges, and otlierwise, to induce a large number to
give up strong drink and to abstain from profanity.
The members of the regiment anticipated their re-
turn home by preparing to appear as well on their
arrival as when they came out. So much to their
credit may and ought to be said, that, after being
exposed to the demoralizing influences of war for three
full years, they returned to the avocations of peape as
quietly and hidustriously as any among our citizens.
Gen. Grant had no sooner reorganized than he be-
gan to review and inspect the Army of the Potomac.
He was constantly at work in Culpepper with his staff
and secretaries, or in the saddle, accompanied simply
by one orderly, ascertaining by personal visitation the
actual condition, spirit, and feelings of the men under
his command. Not one of them but was permitted to
approach him if he desired, for the settlement of any
military difficulty ; and his own friendly, unpretending
manners begot for him among the troops a lively affec-
tion and growing confidence.
No one doubted, if the thing were possible, that he
would be the conqueror of Richmond. The friends of
Gen. Lee, and rebels generally, together with a large
number of faint-hearted loyalists, said it was not possi-
ble ; and that, no matter how numerous or well sup-
plied the Union army might become, it could never be
led by the way of Chancellorsville, Spottsylvania, and
tlie North Anna and Mattapony Rivers, to the enemy's
capital.
So matters stood on the morning of May 3, 1864.
Most of the troops had been moved out of the log-huts
tliey occupied all whiter, for sanitary reasons, and
PREPARATIONS FOR AN ADVANCE. 455
were encamped in the open fields. The majority of
the furloughed soldiers had returned to their posts ;
and large numbers of fresh troops, including several
heavy artillery regiments, and the whole of the ninth
corps under Gen. Burnside, had been added to the
army.
Quartermasters', commissary, and ordnance stores
had been issued wherever there was need, baggage
sent to the rear, the sick transferred to Washington
and Alexandria, and- every preparation made for an
immediate advance upon the enemy. No one knew
when it was to be made, because Gen. Grant kept his
own counsel. So little did the members of the First
Regiment anticipate it, that they were busily engaged
in the reconstruction of their camp when marching
orders came. Indeed, it had been rumored that the
army would remain as it was for several weeks, and
be reviewed, prior to its departure, by President Lincoln
in person. At four o'clock, Tuesday afternoon. May
3, however, all these anticipations were dissipated,
and the order came to prepare six days' rations, draw
fifty rounds of ammunition per man, and be ready for
a start by eleven o'clock that night.
On the same day, all the army camps were broken
up, and the troops put in motion towards the Rapidan.
Considerable had been said and doue by friends of
the First Regiment in Massachusetts and at Washing-
ton, as their period of enlistment was so nearly up, to
have the members spared the privations and sufierings
of another campaign ; but the efibrt was entirely with-
out result, and at eleven, p.m., they started, in compa-
ny with the rest of the division, for Ely's Ford.
A division of cavalry under Gen. Gregg had preced-
456 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
ed the corps, repairing the roads, and protecting the
engineers who laid the pontoons, by whom scarcely
any resistance was encountered from the enemy. Only
a few vedettes were seen upon the right bank of the
river, who retired without contesting its passage ; and
double bridges were immediately thrown across at Ely's
and Germania Fords, upon which the several divisions
of cavalry and infantry, together with the artillery, at
once began to cross.
The First Regiment reached ' the ford at eleven in
the forenoon of the 4th, went over, and followed the
river road in the direction of Chancellorsville.
The warm, dry weather had caused the mud to dis-
appear, and the roads were in excellent condition ; but
the heat of the day, combined with the rapid marching,
induced the troops to throw away blankets, shelter-
tents, and an immense amount of valuable clothing,
most of it new, which strewed the roadside for miles.
On the night of the 4th, Gen. Wilson's Union cav-
alry moved up tlic road to Parker's Store and Orange
Court House, several miles. The rest of the army
bivouacked at the Wilderness Tavern, Chancellorsville,
and Germania Ford.
The First Regiment occupied ground very near to
that whereon they had fought the year before ; and
many of the members took occasion to visit the precise
localities where the ground had been so fiercely con-
tested then. Most of the earthworks remained un-
changed ; and the trees were still hanging as they were
left, half shot off, with bullets by the thousand, and
here and there cannon-balls, visible in the wood. The
earth was covered with scraps of iron, bits of leather,
old canteens, rags, and bloody clothing ; while scat-
MOVEMENTS OF THE REBEL ARMY. 457
tered about were seen whole skeletons, or skulls, ribs,
thigh-bones, pieces of hands, feet, jaws, and arms, lying
where they had fallen during the battle of the preced-
ing year. It was not possible to tell in all cases
whether these bones had belonged to friends or ene-
mies. Occasionally something would be found to iden-
tify the remains, but not often. .One former member
of the First, whose skull lay bleaching upon the top of
the ground, was identified by some peculiarity con-
nected with his teeth. All the bones were re-interred
before the army moved on again. As the rebels had
held this spot for an entire year, their neglect was sim-
ply barbarous and hiexcusable.
Gen. Lee's army was encamped in a fortified posi-
tion at and near Orange Court House. Either he had
been surprised by Gen. Grant's rapid advance, or had
expected to be attacked behind his intrenchments ; for
he delayed making any movement until the Union ad-
vance was well on the way to Spottsylvania Court
House, and not only his right flank, but also his rail-
road communications with Richmond, were in serious
danger. He then hastily abandoned his intrenchments,
and threw all his corps forward, so as to confront Gen.
Grant's forces in the Wilderness, attempting, at the
same time, to penetrate the angles of the corps flanks
where the various corps formed a junction in line of
battle. Had this been accomplished, it would seriously
have embarrassed Gen. Grant, as his transportation
had not yet crossed the river, and might thereby have
been separated from the army, and exposed to capture
or destruction ; but it was attempted too late.
During Thursday the 5th, firing was suddenly heard
in the direction of the Wilderness Tavern. Through--
458 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
out the day and night previous, not a gun had been
discharged. The firing came from the forces of Gen.
Ewell, which were drawn up along the old Gordons-
ville turnpike to the nev7 plank-road, and were posted
in the woods of the Wilderness, opposite the fifth corps.
The whole region was most appropriately termed " the
Wilderness," being covered with a dense growth of
bushes, stunted pines, cedars, and scrub-oaks, inter-
spersed with prostrate trees which had rotted and
fallen to the ground, and pools of stagnant water ; and
in wet weather was one vast morass. Here Gen. Grif-
fin, of the fifth corps, first encountered the enemy, and
opened the battle of the Wilderness. His men were
feeling their way through the rank vegetation, unable
to distinguish objects fifty yards in front, when they
received the fire of a rebel line of battle, which, with-
out any warning from pickets, or otherwise, was poured
upon his soldiers as they stood. The fire was immedi-
ately returned ; and a bloody action commenced, last-
ing, without intermission, over an hour. The com-
batants were close together, unable to make use of
cavalry or artillery ; and in this short space of time a
large number were killed and wounded on both sides.
The enemy were then re enforced and pushed forward,
gradually forcing Gen. Griffin back upon his supports.
These poured in a succession of tremendous volleys
as soon as the rebels could be discerned moving in
the woods, whicli held them in check, and finally com-
pelled them to retire.
At this time, the fourth division of Gen. Hancock's
corps was hurrying along to close up a gap existing
between the sixth corps and the left centre of the
Union army. The First Regiment came into position
THE FIGHTING IN THE WILDERNESS. 459
along a forest road, leading over a slight eminence, in
the direction of Germania Ford. The scouts brought
in word that the enemy were before us in large num-
bers, and advancing. Guns were stacked in an instant ;
and the whole command went to work throwing up a
temporary breastwork of logs and rails. Old trees
were rolled up and cleared of their branches ; new ones
cut down as fast as the few axes procurable could be
made to do service ; dirt, stones, and rocks thrown up
in front and rear; and in an hour's time a passable
line of earthworks completed. It was hardly done be-
fore an order arrived for the whole line to advance.
The woods seemed to be absolutely impenetrable.
Trees were so close together, underbrush so thick, and
the scrub-oaks so stiff and unyielding, that regular
advances were simply impossible. The men went
forward, however, in very irregular lines, going round
the trees, creeping under the branches, and keeping as
closely together as they were able. They had advanced
thus only five or six hundred yards from the road,
when, directly in front, the enemy, unseen, opened a
double volley, which sent thousands of bullets crashing
through the woods right into their faces. This fire,
so sudden, so unexpected, and so deadly, was returned
in but a feeble and scattering manner, because the
men were so generally separated from their officers,
and so far apart from each other, besides being per-
plexed by the difficulties they had encountered in
forcing their way through the tangled forest, that
they were comparatively without organization. The
enemy answered with another terrific volley, which
told with deadly effect upon the foremost groups
struggling along to get into some sort of fighting array,
460 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
killing and wounding a largo number, and straightway
forcing the rest to fall back. Along the whole division
line, the movement became at once and rapidly retro-
grade. Branches of trees tore off knapsacks and
haversacks, knocked guns out of men's hands, and, in
two or three cases, completely stripped them of their
accoutrements ; but they continued to retire till they
reached the breastwork, and there the majority halted.
The enemy then advanced to obtain possession of the
road. They met with a fierce and stubborn resistance.
Along the front of both corps, the soldiers immediately
became engaged, almost entirely with musketry, at
short distances. Only four pieces of artillery were got
into position. The conflict became extremely bloody.
Every shot seemed to tell. Whenever the Union
troops moved forward, the rebels appeared to have the
advantage. Whenever they advanced, the advantage
was transferred to us. So the conflict raged for two
hours, hardly a regiment knowing how fared any other
regiment, owing to the impenetrable obscurity of the
forest ; when parts of two divisions of the fifth corps
were suddenly precipitated upon the flank of Gen. A.
P. Hill's corps, and became at once engaged in a fear-
ful and obstinate encounter, which lasted, with great
loss, far into the night. Gen. Alexander Hayes wa's
killed, a number of valuable officers and a tliousand
of the rank and file were killed and wounded, and
nearly another thousand captured. Of the rebels, Gen.
J. M. Jones was killed. Gen. Stafford mortally wound-
ed, and over three hundred captured, in addition to
the killed and wounded ; and their efforts to turn the
left, or penetrate the centre, of the Union lines, were
completely foiled.
THE FIGHTING IN THE WILDERNESS. 461
This was the commencement of that masterly series
of manoeuvres, devised by Gen. Grant, and executed
by his heroic troops, which kept turning the rebel
right, and forcing Lee to fall back along the line of
his communications, until his retreating columns disap-
peared behind the formidable intrenchments of Rich-
mond itself.
During Thursday night, picket-firing was kept up
at intervals throughout the night. The morning of
Friday had scarcely dawned, when a fierce attack was
made upon the right wing of the Union army, held by
the sixth corps, under Gen. Sedgwick, which gradually
extended, until it involved more or less of the sixth,
second, and fifth corps in its fiery vortex of carnage
and death. Both sides had thrown up intrenchments
during the night, so that the attacking party on either
side invariably got the worst of it. Gen. Lee had ap-
parently formed the determination to break through
the Union lines, at whatever cost. For this purpose,
he mustered all his legions, and huiied them success-
ively upon one point after anofher, compelling his
infantry to advance, unsupported by artillery, through
dense thickets of dwarf pines and stubbed chaparral,
till they half-blundered, half-sprang upon the Union
breastworks, behind wliich the Federal soldiers awaited
their approach, and were hurled back again, line after
line, in rapid succession, covering the ground with
their dead and wounded, and compelling those near-
est the intrenchments to come in and surrender by
the dozen, under penalty of being shot down where
they stood.
Hardly had the first volleys of the enemy echoed
along the lines from the right, when the second corps,
39*
462 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS EEGIMENT.
under Gen. Hancock, following the order of battle for
the day, pushed straight through the woods, and, fall-
ing upon a weakened part of the rebel left, took pos-
session of a row of rifle-pits, captured five colors from
the enemy, and forced their columns back fully two
miles. The advantage was followed up to the edge of
a swamp, across which an enfilading fire was encoun-
tered from intrenchments on both sides ; and in storm-
ing one of these the gallant Gen. Wadsworth was in-
stantly killed by a bullet through the head, while lead-
ing the charge. Soon after this, a portion of Gen.
Hancock's corps only escaped capture by being in the
woods, where their detached and unsupported con-
dition could not be observed. The gap between the
second and fifth corps being still unfilled by Gen. Burn-
side's command, tlie rebels had manoeuvred so as to
reach the rear of the fourth division and Gen. Motte's
brigade, whos'e first intimation of their proximity was
a rapid fire of musketry directly behind the files. The
brigade was speedily faced front to the rear, and
swung round so as to engage the enemy, in doing
which a long rebel line of battle was encountered,
which might easily have captured every regiment be-
fore them, had not a knowledge of their advantage
been precluded by the density of the woods and under-
growth. As it was, confusion reigned supreme on
both sides for a short time, during which Gen. Han-
cock's troops regained their former places in rear of
the Union breastworks. There occurred now one of
those strange intervals in the midst of battles, when
for hours not a shot was fired on either side. It lasted
until the middle of the afternoon, when Longstreet
joined with A. P. Hill in making the most desperate
REBEL ATTACK REPULSED. 463
apsault of the day. The woods and leaves at this time
were on fire in all parts of the field, sending up clouds
of smoke to the lieavens, and throwing an impenetrable
veil over every thing at a greater distance than five
hundred feet. Concealed by this unexpected screen, tlie
rebels formed four strong lines of battle, — two from
each corps, — and advanced to the assault. While the
smoke befriended them, it confused and impeded them
at the same time ; and their onset had little of the furi-
ous determination of the morning. Nevertheless, they
bravely pushed up towards our first breastwork, not
only staggering under the volleys of musketry poured
into their columns, but contending with fire and smoke,
and all the impediments of the forest. The first line,
broken and wavering under the galling and repeated
discharges of the Union infantry, was strengthened and
steadied by the second, and this again by the third ; both
sides loading and firhig in furious haste, till the rattle
of at least fifty thousand muskets rose into an incessant
roll and roar, and all the space between the combatants
was swept by a perfect hurricane of death-dealing mis-
siles. The enemy were losing fearfully; and the Union
troops, behind their earthworks, slightly. This the reb-
els could not long endure, so the order 'was given to car-
ry our works by storm. The attempt was made. Straight
forward, closed in mass, right in the face of rapid vol-
leys, which slaughtered hundreds, they came to the
first breastwork. It was on fire, and had been partial-
ly abandoned. Mistaking its voluntary abandonment
for its forced surrender, they leaped upon the parapet,
unfurled their battle-flags, and began to cheer. Hard-
ly had the sounds escaped their throats, when one ter-
rific volley blazed from the Federal lines behind it,
464 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
tumbling hundreds over into the ditches, writhing in
the agonies of death ; and following the volley came a
charge, on the double-quick, with fixed bayonets, which
swept the rampart clear of every rebel remaining upon
it, drove the solid throng back into the obscurity of the
woods, and made captive several hundred who could not
or would not try to get away. This ended the battle on
the left and centre. The fourth division of the second
corps, and G-en. Stevenson's division of the ninth corps,
had borne the brunt of it, and suffered very severely.
On the right, the enemy were loath to give up the
attempt already ventured three times without success,
and just at nightfall made another vigorous onslaught
upon Gen. Sedgwick's intrenchments. This time they
gained a temporary advantage. The men were mostly
at work with shovels and axes, or resting from the
battle. They had only the warning of the pickets a
few hundred yards out, when the masses of the enemy
were upon them, swarming over the earthworks, rush-
ing after fugitives, shooting down such as would not
halt when ordered, and yelling with exultation over
their brief success. Gen. Seymour's brigade was at
once stampeded ; and hundreds of flying men and
animals began to rush through the woods towards Ger-
mania Ford, imperilling not only the right wing, but
also the whole army. It was the most critical moment
of the campaign. Gen. Seymour did every thing that
valor, authority, and good example could do to stem
the tide, but utterly in vain. It swept by him like a
whirlwind, leaving him a prisoner in rebel hands. Gen.
Sedgwick succeeded better. He formed a second line
in rear of the one which had been so quickly and
thoroughly broken, rallied many of the fugitives, and
HEAVY LOSSES OF BOTH ARMIES. 465
brought the enemy to a sudden stand. Every moment
they were held at bay increased the darkness fast set-
tlhig upon the forest, and added to the perils of
their advanced position; and though for an hour they
fought witli infuriated vigor, contesting every inch of
ground they had gained, they were at last forced to re-
tire, and the Union lines were re-formed. Thus it
proved that Gen. Lee's troops had been outfought, and
himself outgeneralled, on the right, left, and centre.
The losses during the two days' engagements had
been unparalleled and appalUng. Gens. Hayes, Wads-
worth, and Webb had been killed, and fifteen thousand
of the Union army killed, wounded, and captured.
Among the captured was Lieut. -Col Baldwin of the
First Regiment, who was made a prisoner while super-
intending the formation of the picket-line at night.
The rebel losses had been greater than ours, includ-
ing Gens. Jones, Jenkins, and Pickett killed, and Gens.
Pegram, Hunter, and Longstreet wounded ; the latter
so severely, by a bullet passing through his neck and
shoulder, that he was disabled from duty for six months.
No further attempt was made to force back the right
wing ; and, excepting a shot now and then from the
skirmishers, the night passed away in quietness. Eebel
prisoners expressed great surprise that our army had
not fallen back as usual, and commented, almost with
enthusiasm, upon the cool and determined manner in
which tlieir most furious charges had been repulsed.
They were evidently at a loss to understand what such
invincible resolution might portend, and seemed de-
pressed and chagrined by its results.
Skirmishing was resumed early Saturday morning,
and continued at various points throughout the day.
466 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Tlie ninth corps was pushed down below the right
flank of tlie rebel army, causing Gen. Lee to abandon
his intrenchments in the Wilderness, and take up a
new line on the Po River. Both armies joined in
a race for Spottsylvania Court House towards night,
the rebels having the inside track ; and the tangled
solitudes of the Wilderness were left to the dead and
wounded, many of whom remained for days unburied
and un cared for where they fell.
During Saturday afternoon, a battle took place be-
tween the Union and rebel cavalry, which resulted in
the capture and occupation of Fredericksburg by the
Union forces, and its use for three weeks or more for
general hospital purposes, and as a depot of supplies.
Never did soldiers seem happier than were those of the
Union army to get out of the Wilderness. The country
around Spottsylvania Court House was heavily wooded,
but rolling and elevated, with here and there large open
spaces. Most of the Union soldiers were in motion on
Sunday nearly all day. During the afternoon, a severe
struggle ensued with a body of the enemy on Alsop's
Farm, near the Ny Run. Being in three lines, the
last behind freshly constructed earthworks, they fought
with the greatest bravery, and for hours withstood
every effort made to dislodge them from their strong
position. Late in the day, a fresh brigade went for-
ward, and routed them at all points. The carnage
was awful. One regiment which went in well officered
came out under command of a first lieutenant. Anoth-
er, which was two hundred strong at the commence-
ment of the fight, counted only twenty-three men at
its conclusion. The day had been intensely hot ;
fences, forest, and leaves were on fire in all directions ;
^
DEATH OF GEN. SEDGWICK. 467
and hundreds of men were so overcome with fatigue
and the rays of the sun, that they lay about by the
roadside and in the woods, utterly unable to move.
Monday was comparatively quiet. The rebel sharp-
shooters were busy all the time, however, and sent
their rifle-balls over a mile with fearful accuracy.
One of them struck Gen. Sedgwick in the head, while
he was superintending the planting of a battery, and
killed him on the spot. There was no firing in front at
the time : and the report of the gun whence the ball
came was not heard by any one ; but its fatal errand was
accomplished nevertheless, depriving the Union army
of one of its best and bravest officers in an instant.
Just at night, a portion of Gen. Hancock's corps
crossed a branch of the Po River, and engaged the
enemy with both infantry and artillery. Both sides
charged in turn, and fought with equal valor and suc-
cess ; but the enemy were found so strongly posted,
that the Union troops were finally recalled.
Tuesday morning, the 10th, the conflict began at
half-past nine, and lasted without cessation until seven
o'clock in the evening. Both sides made free use of
their artillery, the reports of which were terrific all the
forenoon. In the afternoon, repeated charges by the
Union soldiers drove the rebels to their rifle-pits, where
they took a most determined stand, and clung with in-
flexible tenacity for hours. Just before night, several
brigades were massed in front of their lines, which, at
a given signal, moved impetuously forwaixl, and in
spite of a galling fire, and every other obstacle of
ftbatis, ditch, and rampart in their way, scaled the
works, captured several guns and over a thousand pris-
oners, and fell back in triumph to their former places.
468 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
No words exist in human language which couhl con-
vey to any one not present at this terrific encounter
an adequate idea of its dreadful nature and effects ;
tlie stunning detonations of the artillery ; the inces-
sant rattle and roar of the musketry, reverberating in
volleys by regiments, brigades, and divisions, through
ravines and w^oods ; the explosion of shells ; the crash of
cannon-balls through the trees ; the terrifying whiz and
rush of canister-sliot among the branches ; the shouts,
shrieks, and yells of enraged, excited, or wounded
combatants ; the desolation reigning over the charred
and smoking field, strewn with the dead, the dying,
and the wounded, whose groans of pain and cries for
help seemed to intensify ratlier tlian appease the dread-
ful wrath that raged along the lines and hurled its
deadly projectiles in furious haste from side to side, —
all these combined to make an impression upon the
participant or observer, such as no language could
produce. At least twenty thousand men were killed,
wounded, and captured on botli sides as the result of
this day's fighting.
On Wednesday, the 11th, the forenoon passed away
in comparative quiet. During the afternoon, there was
considerable heavy skirmishhig, but no regular as-
sault. Gen. Lee requested forty-eight hours' truce for
the purpose of burying his dead, and attending to his
wounded ; but it was refused, Qqw Grant promising to
bury all the dead witliin his lines, and to see that the
woiuided had the best of care.
On Wednesday, Gen. Grant sent his first despatch to
Washington, closing with the memorable words, " I
propose to fight it out on this line, if it takes all sum-
mer." During the afternoon, it began to rain for the
1,
CAPTURE OF A REBEL DIVISION. 469
first time since the opening of the campaign, and con-
tinued at intervals during the niglit and most of the
day Thursday. Wednesday night, preparations were
made to surprise a portion of the enemy's intrench-
ments before daybreak, and carry tliem by storm.
About one o'clock in the morning, amid the darkness
and rain. Gen. Hancock formed his corps on the left,
between the sixjh and ninth corps. The formation
was completed just at daylight. Gen. Barlow with the
first division, and Gen. Birney with the second, con-
stituted the first column ; Gen. Gibbon with the third,
and Gen. Mott with the fourth division, the second. It
was raining at the time, and the surface of the ground
covered with a thick mist. Gen. Barlow advanced his
men cautiously in column of battalions doubled on the
centre, followed by the second line, within supporting
distance. The orders were all given in a low tone of
voice, no firing allowed, and the troops kept as silent
as possible. Most of the way was rough, difficult, and
heavily wooded. The enthusiasm of the men rose
rapidly as they neared the hostile earthworks without
encountering any opposition, until the first line silently
broke into a run. Those behind did the same; and, al-
most before the rebel pickets could challenge and fire,
our troops had rushed over the intervening space, dashed
aside the abatis, leaped the ditches, scaled the para-
pets, and plunged in among the astonished infantry,
some of whom were just beginning to yawn before get-
ting up, while the majority were fast asleep on their
arms. The cannoneers of the batteries were nearly all
away feeding and watering their horses, and the offi-
cers were at breakfast in or near their tents. In less
than an hour, the entire division was surrounded, ^-
40
470 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
officers and men, comprising three thousand troops,
with Major-Gen. Edward Johnson, and Brig.-Gen. G-.
H. Stewart, — and brought, on the double-quick, into
the Union lines. Thirty or forty field-guns were also
taken in position as they stood, and many of them
dragged off. The capture of Johnson's division caused
the Union soldiers unwisely to cheer, which aroused
the rebels from their slumbers along the whole front,
and put them upon the defensive.
A second line of earthworks was assailed as soon as
the troops could be formed after capturing the first ;
but its holders were awake, and ready for the onset.
They fought stubbornly to the last, remaining so long
under cover of their ramparts, that many were cap-
tured and brought in by the foremost among the storm-
ing-party. An immediate attempt was made on the
part of Gen. Lee to regain the ground he had lost.
The order he issued to his men was, that they 7nust
retake the breastworks, and hold them against every
force that was brought to the assault. Instantly and
eagerly they entered upon the desperate undertaking.
It was of no possible avail ; the Union lines were rap-
idly pushed forward en masse ; a tremendous cannon-
ade opened from right to left; the ninth corps hurried
vigorously forward towards the conquered position ; the
sixth was precipitated upon the unsteady battalions of
Ewell's left ; and the fifth advanced till they became
hotly engaged with the enemy in front, so as to prevent
any manoeuvring to reenforce the endangered point.
Success, then, became merely a question of numbers
and physical strength. The enemy formed behind
their second line of works only three hundred yards
distant, and charged upon the first. They were al-
THE DEATH-GRAPPLE OF THE WAR. 471
most instantly repelled. Fresh troops were coming to
the support and relief of the charging party every
moment, whose guns swept the top of the opposite par-
apet with a hurricane of bullets ; and cannon were
pushed forward as rapidly as the nature of the ground
would permit, which opened at once, and rapidly in-
creased the jeopardy of those attempting a charge.
Notwithstanding all this, however, the charges were
kept up for three long and bloody hours, during which
the ground seemed almost covered with dead and
wounded, before the rebels finally retired, and desisted
from their attempts to retrieve the disaster of the
morning.
On the right and centre, a furious contest was waged,
resulting in no change of position to either party. On
the left, a combined attempt was made, late in the
day, to turn Gen. Lee's right, which resulted in partial
success. At one point, the rebels held on to their
intrenchments with such dogged obstinacy, and the
Union troops assaulted them with such zealous eager-
ness, that the combatants were only separated from
each other by the narrow space of the intervening earth-
work ; on either side of which the wounded, dying,
and dead were piled up ii^heaps, almost to the top of
the parapet. Every thing that ingenuity could invent,
or daring accomplish, was attempted on both sides to
gain even the slightest advantage. It seemed to be
the death-grapple of the war. The Federal columns
rushed forward like an avalanche, supported by the bat-
teries, which poured in round after round of solid shot
and shell : but the enemy met the shock with livid
sheets of flame, which blazed along their ramparts ; and
hundreds of our bravest were smitten to the earth, al-
472 TUE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
most witliin reach of the foe. The sight was ghastlier
than any thing ever seen before in this land. Those who
took part in its terrible events were muddy, bloody,
and begrimed with powder, but fearless and deter-
mined, and ready to undertake whatever was required.
They went forward at least a dozen times during that
awfiil day, pouring out the best blood of the land
upon the miry soil, and giving an exhibition of prow-
ess and intrepidity witliout a parallel in the annals of
warfare. When night fell, matters were at a dead
lock. A space of ground was swept by the Union
fire, across which it was indispensable for the rebels to
pass, or they must abandon the position. All night
long the First Regiment kept up an incessant fire
across this area ; the men using at least a wagon-load
of cartridges, and making their guns so foul, that, be-
fore morning, they were obliged to go down to a brook
below the position in squads, and wash them out.
During the night the enemy became discouraged,
and fell back. At light our men crept forward ; but
the rebels were gone. Outside the earthworks they
had erected, the ground was strewn with their dead,
who had been shot down in attempting to pass over.
Inside, they lay in heaps on^upon another, shot mainly
through the head ; some of them still breathing and
conscious, while the mud and water underneath and
around were red with the blood still oozing from the
frightful wounds they had received. Their works
were extremely strong, raised from the ground, ditched
with double fronts, and had traverses forty feet apart.
The infantry fire to which they had been subjected
was so severe, that it had gnawed down a tree eighteen
inches in diameter, standing in the trench, and which
NARROW ESCAPE OF GEN. MEADE. 473
had fallen on a mass of their dead, lying where they
were shot down, crushing them together in a manner
frightful to behold. Other trees of smaller dimensions
were cnt asunder, and the soil torn up in furrows where
cannon-balls had ploughed their way into the bowels
of the earth.
Friday, the 13th, it continued rainy ; and no demon-
stration of any magnitude was made by either side.
Saturday, the 14th, the enemy having fallen back,
Gen. Grant stretched his lines across the Fredericks-
burg and Spottsylvania road, having all. his corps in
position, from the front to the rear, and diligently at
work with pick and spade. On the extreme left, there
was some hard fighting, but no general engagement.
During the afternoon. Gen. Meade narrowly escaped
capture by the enemy, being in a house upon which they
made an unlooked-for charge, having doubtless been
informed by their scouts that he was there. Sunday,
tlie 15th, positions were changed for the better, where
it was possible, and our whole line greatly strength-
ened by intrenchments and traverses. In the forenoon,
while the First Regiment were resting in rear of their
former position, tlie men observed some rebels stealing
towards the unoccupied rifle-pits of the Union army,
and without waiting for orders, except from company
commanders, rushed .forward to their rescue ; and,
having reached them first, drove the rebels back upon
their supports. This position they held for the rest
of the day, and throughout Monday, the 16th, and Mon-
day night, although it was exposed to a cross-fire from
the enemy's artillery. Early Tuesday morning, the
17th, Gen. Birney's troops took position in the rifle-pits,
and relieved the First. On the next day, the old posi-
40*
474 TIIK FIRST MASSACnCSETTS TIKGUIENT.
tioii of the 12tli instant was reoccupied, and held till
near midnight, when it was exchanged for tlie breast-
works previously held on Sunday, the 15th.
Marching was resumed tlie next morning, May 19,
and continued across the Po River to a place known as
Anderson's Plantation, where tlie regiment went into
bivouac among the reserves for the first time since it
left Brandy Station. Soon after four o'clock, p.m.,
Ewell's corps attempted to cut tlie Union communica-
tions witli Fredericksburg, and capture such of the wag-
on-trains as might be in reach, going or coming. He
was resisted mainly by fresh troops, most of them being
regiments of heavy artillery. These, liowever, fouglit
witli the valor of veterans, and at nightfall had driven
the enemy before them in tlie greatest confusion, cap-
turing four hundred who attempted to make a stand,
and rescuing a train of wagons which the rebels had
already within their grasp.
The First Regiment w^as deployed on the right as
skirmishers during this engagement, and at its conclu-
sion moved to tlie front, and was drawn up in line of
battle ; where the men rested undisturbed upon their
arms all night.
In the morning, after shelling the woods, a recon-
noissance in force was ordered, by which it was dis-
covered that the enemy had retired during the night,
leaving a considerable number of stragglers among the
trees, asleep or exhausted, all of whom were made pris-
oners of war. The position of the 19th was immedi-
ately resumed, where the companies remained at rest
all day. During the night, orders arrived to move
forward upon Guiney's Station and Bowling Green,
on the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad; but,
CASUALTIES. 475
SO far as the First Regiment was concerned, they were
were soon after countermanded, and Col. McLaughlin
was ordered to transfer all men belonging to the regi-
ment, whose terms of service had not expired, to the
Eleventh Massachusetts Regiment, and report, with the
rest of the regiment, to the superintendent of the re-
cruiting service at Boston, Mass.
The following is a list of killed, wounded, and miss-
ing in the First Regiment at the battles of the Wilder-
ness and Spottsylvania Court House : —
Company A : Killed, Private Lewis Hutchins.
Company I : Killed, Capt. Moses H. Warren.
Wounded, Adjutant Charles E. Mudge, contusion.
Company A : Wounded, Privates Daniel Gr. Kelley,
not dangerous ; Charles B. Connor, wrist, slight ;
George Funk, trifling.
Company B : Wounded, Sergeant Richard F. Irish,
leg, severe ; Privates David Jones, head, serious ; James
Kelley, slight flesh-wound ; Seth P. Yarney, body, not
dangerous.
Company C : Wounded, Privates Edward C. Brown,
right leg, painful ; John H. Hoffman, inconsiderable ;
Gordon Mclnness, flesh, slight ; Samuel B. Reading,
insignificant.
Company D : Wounded, Privates John H. Baldwin,
thigh, not serious ; Aretes C. Chamberlin, flesh, slight ;
Robert K. Danforth, flesh, slight ; James R. Macrea,
right shoulder, painful ; James G. Parker, contusion.
Company E : Wounded, Privates Uriah Howes, tri-
fling ; Charles A. Jones, slight flesh-wound ; George
W. Wilkins, slight flesh-wound.
Company F : Wounded, Color-Sergeant, Lewis H.
Hall, scalp, not dangerous.
476 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Company G : Wounded, Corporal Greorge Sawyer,
trifling; Privates Augustus R. Pope, scalp, not serious ;
James Rafferty, hand, not serious.
Company H: Wounded, Lieut. John S. Willey, con-
tusion ; Corporal Orville Bisbee, hand, slight ; Privates
Leonard Clark, left shoulder ; William H. Smith, tri-
fling ; Joseph W. Spooner, trifling.
Company I : Wounded, Sergeant George F. Marden,
shoulder, severe; Corporal Isaac Clark, leg, dangerous ;
Privates John Cripps, through the lungs, serious ; Wil-
liam Murray, left side, painful.
Company K : Wounded, Corporal George Goode,
through both thighs, serious ; Privates John Coullahan,
head, not dangerous ; Conrad Herman, jr., slight flesh-
wound ; Joseph M. Leonard, hand, trifling ; John
Lane, knee, painful.
Missing, Lieut.-Col. Clark B. Baldwin.
Company A : Missing, Privates William H. Butler,
William Hughes, Leonard Lewis, Augustus Waterman.
Company F : Missing, Privates Thomas P. Frost ;
Anthony McArt.
Company H : Missing, Private Robert Andrews.
Company K: Missing, Privates Patrick W. Des-
mond ; Horace Mclntire.
CHAPTER XX.
RECEPTION AT HOME. THE FINAL STRUGGLE.
" They come, they come, our liero-band. —
Old Massachusetts' First !
Let shouts of welcome loud and long
From every bosom burst !
They come, — the gallant men who stood
Between us and our foes,
Receiving on their loyal breasts
The dastard traitors' blows !
Give them warm welcome ; for they come
From many a hard-fought field, —
Fields crimsoned by the blood they shed
Our hearts and homes to shield.
Give them warm welcome, and for aye
Remember -how they bled:
Fold to our hearts the living ones;
Proud tears shed o'er the dead."
WHILE the Army of the Potomac continued its
marcli towards Giiiney's Station and Bowling
Green, the First Regiment followed tlie telegraph road
leading to Fredericksburg.
The distance was hard upon fifteen miles. The city
was found to be crowded with Union soldiers, most of
them wounded, to whom every attention was being paid
by the regular surgeons, hospital stewards, and their
assistants, and also by the agents of the Christian and
Sanitary Commissions, volunteer nurses, and others.
The churches and public buildings of the place, witli
a large number of private residences found vacant.
478 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
were devoted to hospital purposes, and the streets pa-
trolled by a force of cavalry amply sufficient to protect
the temporary occupants from violence at the hands of
guerillas or disloyal residents.
After a short stay, the regiment crossed the Rappa-
hannock, and went into bivouac upon the plain below
Falnioutli, where an opportunity was afforded for rest,
and the ablutions which for several days had Ijcen un-
avoidably neglected. At four, p.m., the march was re-
sumed for Belle Plain, where, after considerable delay,
tlie regiment embarked at ten, p.m., on board the
steamer "Utica," for Washington, and arrived in tliat
city the next morning at half-past three. Immediate
arrangements were made for the transportation of the
regiment by cars to Baltimore and Pbiladelphia ; and
the companies marched through the streets of the
national capital to the Soldiers' Rest, a series of com-
modious wooden barracks connected with the railroad
depot.
On the way from tlie front to Fredericksburg, from
Fredericksburg to Belle Plain, and in tlie city of Wash-
ington, large numbers of hundred-days' men were met,
bound for the army under Gen. Grant. They were
full of martial enthusiasm almost to a man ; and such
of them as met the rebels in hostile combat acquit-
ted themselves creditaljly throughout the campaign.
Twelve hours were spent at the Soldiers' Rest, in
Washington, before a train of cars was procured for
transportation to Baltimore; and the same vexatious
delays were encountered in tlie latter city and Phila-
delphia.
TFie Cooper-shop and Union Refreshment Saloons of
Pjjiladelphia were visited as usual, and full justice
HOMEWARD BOUND. 479
done to tlie generous fare fiiruislied by tlicir patriotic
supporters and attendants. The city of New York
was reached on the 23d, where the men were provided
with quarters at the barracks in City-Hall Park, and
the officers generously furnished with rooms and en-
tertainment by Col. Stetson of the Astor House. An
elegant supper was given by this gentleman to the
officers and a few invited guests, on the evening of
the 23d, whicli afforded unmixed enjoyment to all
present.
On the 24th, after a farewell dress-parade in front of
the city hall, the regiment embarked on the steamer
'' Metropolis " for Fall River, where it arrived early the
ne^t morning, and the cars were taken for Boston.
Several friends had come on from the latter city,
who assured the men tliat an enthusiastic reception
awaited them there ; but no one connected with the
command had any idea it would be half so demonstra-
tive and generous as it proved to be. To them all, it
was an occasion of unmixed gratification and delight,
and will be remembered with pleasure and pride as
long as tliey live. A special train of cars was pro-
vided at Fall River, which arrived in Boston between
nine and ten in the forenoon of tlie 25th.
Ten companies of various names, with their bands,
comprising the escort, had reported to Gen. Robert
Cowdin, who was master of ceremonies for the day,
and were in waiting at the Beach-street barracks when
the regiment arrived.
The men immediately deposited their knapsacks,
haversacks, &c., inside the barracks, and formed col-
umn, together with their escort, in the following
order : —
480 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
Gilmore's Band.
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, Major
Edwards commanding, — seventy men,
Morse's Cambridge Band.
Ex-members of Company H, First Regiment, Chelsea
Light Infantry, Capt. J. R. Gerrisli, — forty men.
Chelsea Brass Band.
Army and Navy Association of Veterans, of Chelsea,
under arms, Capt. George B. Hanover, — sixty men.
Boston Cornet Band.
Roxbury Reserve Guard, Capt. Edward Wyman, —
seventy bayonets.
Cavalry Band.
Roxbury Horse Guards, Capt. Richard Holmes, —
fifty sabres.
First Regiment Drum Corps.
Col. McLaughlin, of tlie First, and Gen. Cowdin,
commanding escort, mounted.
The First Regiment, marching in sixteen platoons,
witli their four standards in centre.
Germania Band.
Old Fusileers, citizens' dress, under arms, Capt.
Cooley, — fifty bayonets.
Lidependent Boston Fusileers, Lieut. Proctor com-
manding, relieved from duty at Galloupe's Island^ —
one hundred bayonets.
Ex-members of the First Regiment (veterans), Lieut.
Morris commanding, — fifty bayonets.
Boston Brigade Band.
East-Boston Calkers' Association, citizens' dress, —
one hundred and twenty men.
Five carriages, with wounded and disabled soldiers
and officers of the regiment.
RECEPTION IN BOSTON. 481
The Third Company, State Guard, Captain A. J.
Wright, South Boston, subsequently entered the line.
To say that the streets and sidewalks were crowded
would but very feebly express the condition they were
in from the Old-Colony Depot to the State-House, and
from the State-House to Faneuil Hall. They were, in
truth, densely packed, absolutely thronged with peo-
ple,— merchants, tradesmen, mechanics, and laborers.
Men, women, and children — relatives, friends, and
acquaintances of the soldiers, and thousands of others,
drawn together merely out of curiosity — were there
in such masses, that it was with the utmost difficulty
that the column marched through them at all.
Harrison Avenue, up which the regiment and escort
passed, was densely filled, and the windows fully occu-
pied ; while from scores of houses flags were displayed.
The column reached from Harvard Street to Davis
Street. Passing through Davis, it came down Wash-
ington to Boylston Street, all the way the walks filled
with people ; then by Tremont, Park, Mount Yernon,
Joy, and Beacon Streets to the State-House, where the
soldiers were received by the Governor and other dis-
tinguished gentlemen.
From the State-House, the column went by way of
Beacon, Tremont, Court, State, Commercial, and Mar-
ket Streets to Faneuil Hall. There were flags every-
where ; and in some places the crowds were almost
impassable, and the enthusiasm great. State Street,
Commercial and Market Streets, were particularly
lively in their reception. Rounds of cheers repeatedly
rose far above the other noises in the street. No corps
that returned to Boston received a warmer welcome.
The line was halted in Market Street for some time.
41
482 THE FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
At twelve o'clock, the head of the regiment entered
Faneuil Hall, preceded by the Governor and others,
and was hailed with great applause from the crowded
galleries. The appearance of the five standards, one
of which was an old one, just brought from the State-
House, was the signal for renewed applause; the ladies
energetically waving their handkerchiefs. The soldiers
occupied places at the tables, and laid their guns be-
neath.
Five minutes after, having disposed of the escort,
Gren. Cowdin appeared upon the platform. The ap-
plause with which his old regiment greeted him was of
the most enthusiastic character, continued for a long
time, and was joined in by the galleries.
The Ancient and Honorables had a table on the
north of the hall, — no otlier company being able to
enter, for want of room.
At twenty minutes past twelve o'clock. Mayor Lin-
coln arose, and said, —
" Gentlemen of the First Regiment^ — You have
been favored in many particulars, and I know of no
respect in which you have been more favored, in your
three-years' service, than in having had one of the
best chaplains that ever went 
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